Bar Council expresses 'serious concerns' over MoJ announcement on legal aid
MoJ cuts to legal aid 'are likely seriously to damage access to justice and the provision of high quality advocacy services', says the Bar Council.
Alistair MacDonald QC, chairman of the Bar, said: “We are pleased that the Ministry of Justice has agreed not to proceed with the cuts to the Advocates' Graduated Fee Scheme (AGFS). We are also grateful to the Lord Chancellor for listening to, and acting upon, the Bar’s concerns about the impact cuts to the AGFS would have had.
The Bar Council continues to have grave concerns about the effects upon solicitor colleagues of further fee cuts and the implementation of the dual contracting scheme. We remain convinced that these measures are likely seriously to damage access to justice and the provision of high quality advocacy services in England and Wales.
“We will continue to advance the case with the Ministry of Justice and the Legal Aid Agency for robust measures to be taken to protect, maintain and enhance the high quality of the advocacy market in order best to serve the public interest.”
