Lawyers Strike over Proposed Legal Aid Changes
The BBC and The Guardian have reported that Lawyers in England and Wales have agreed to strike over the proposed changed to criminal legal aid. The changes will see a cut in the profitability of criminal legal aid, as well as offering firms the opportunity to bid for new contracts, ultimately allowing one firm to price out another.
The strike is taking place as lawyers feel that the changes will mean that people in Wales will no longer be able to access justice. Andrew Taylor, Cardiff, has said that the proposed changes will be “devastating” to the Welsh legal system.
These changes have been recommended as the government has come under pressure to save over £2bn across the justice system. With such big savings being requested there is undoubtedly going to be changes to recruitment within criminal teams in the coming year.
For further information please click:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/2013/apr/22/northern-lawyers-cuts-criminal-legal-aid
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-22330695