The Law Society applied to the High Court last week for permission to bring a judicial review of the government’s implementation of Sir Christopher Bellamy’s recommendations following his Independent Review of Criminal Legal Aid.
Law Society president Lubna Shuja said the government had rejected the Law Society’s offer of mediation to resolve the issue, therefore they had no choice but to bring the action.
Shuja said: ‘We believe the UK government’s decision not to increase criminal defence solicitors’ legal aid rates by the recommended minimum 15% is both unlawful and irrational.’
