Criminal legal aid support announced today “desperately needed and long overdue” says Bar Council
In response to the MoJ’s announcement this morning of money for the legal aid sector, Chair of the Bar Council, Amanda Pinto QC, said:
“This money is desperately needed and long overdue for criminal legal aid barristers, who do crucial work in the public interest and, having been badly hit by years of cuts, have suffered drastic loss of work during the pandemic.
"We are pleased that, at last, barristers are paid for work they are obliged to do to prepare cases properly for court.
"Nonetheless, the rates of pay must be revisited as part of the wider independent review, which we look forward to engaging with, to ensure the sustainability of this vital provision.
"Without further support from the government we fear that this great public service will disappear.”
