header-logo header-logo

Judicial review re legal aid rates underway

13 December 2023
Issue: 8053 / Categories: Legal News , Profession , Legal aid focus
printer mail-detail
The High Court was due to hear a judicial review this week brought by the Law Society against the Lord Chancellor’s decision not to increase criminal defence solicitors’ legal aid rates by 15%

The 15% figure is the minimum immediate rise recommended by Lord Bellamy’s independent review of criminal legal aid in 2021.

The legal challenge rests on four grounds: it was irrational not to implement the key recommendation; the decision lacked evidence-based reasons; the decision was in breach of the constitutional right of access to justice; and the Lord Chancellor made insufficient enquiries as to the state of the criminal legal aid sector.

Law Society president Nick Emmerson said defence solicitors are deserting the profession because the work is not financially viable, with 1,400 duty solicitors leaving since 2017.

Issue: 8053 / Categories: Legal News , Profession , Legal aid focus
printer mail-details

MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ Career Profile: Maria Karaiskos KC, Church Court Chambers

NLJ Career Profile: Maria Karaiskos KC, Church Court Chambers

Maria Karaiskos KC, recently appointed as the first female head of Church Court Chambers, discusses breaking down barriers, the lure of the courtroom, and the power of storytelling

1 Hare Court—Peter Mitchell KC & Amber Sheridan

1 Hare Court—Peter Mitchell KC & Amber Sheridan

Leading family law set strengthens ranks with high-profile additions

Thackray Williams—Jennifer Nicol

Thackray Williams—Jennifer Nicol

Firm bolsters commercial team with senior employment partner hire

NEWS
Writing in NLJ this week, Kelvin Rutledge KC of Cornerstone Barristers and Genevieve Screeche-Powell of Field Court Chambers examine the Court of Appeal’s rejection of a discrimination challenge to Tower Hamlets’ housing database
Michael Zander KC, Emeritus Professor at LSE, tracks the turbulent passage of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill through the House of Lords in this week's issue of NLJ. Two marathon debates drew contributions from nearly 200 peers, split between support, opposition and conditional approval
Alistair Mills of Landmark Chambers reflects on the Human Rights Act 1998 a quarter-century after it came into force, in this week's issue of NLJ
In his latest Civil Way column for NLJ, Stephen Gold surveys a raft of procedural changes and quirky disputes shaping civil practice. His message is clear: civil practitioners must brace for continual tweaks, unexpected contentions and rising costs in everyday litigation
Barbara Mills KC, chair of the Bar 2025 and joint head of chambers at 4PB, sets out in this week's NLJ how the profession will respond to Baroness Harriet Harman KC’s review into bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct at the Bar
back-to-top-scroll