Criminal solicitors and probation officers in England and Wales began a two day walkout last Monday and Tuesday in protest against legal aid cuts and the privatisation of offender rehabilitation services. Bulletin readers may recall that lawyers had already staged a half-day walkout in January.
The UK government held a consultation process about this second phase of legal aid reform in late 2013. You can find out more information about the consultation here, and you can read the key consultation document here.
The solicitors and probation officers went ahead with their protest despite the cuts being suspended until 2015 (after the next general election). Barristers had called off their industrial action against the cuts after they struck a deal with the Ministry of Justice – click here to read a Bar Council press release.
Meanwhile, the London Criminal Courts Solicitors’ Association (LCCSA) and the Criminal Law Solicitors’ Association (CLSA) are planning to use judicial review to challenge legal aid cuts. To reduce their risks of costs (the organisations’ officers would be personally liable if the judicial review is unsuccessful), the organisations have begun online fundraising. They have suggested that law firms donate £250 and individuals donate £20 towards the case.
The deal struck by barristers with the Ministry of Justice has been heavily criticised by practising barristers. The Criminal Bar Association is therefore balloting its members on whether to continue protest action until all cuts are abandoned.
Bulletin readers may recall that legal charity the Public Law Project have been granted permission to challenge the introduction of a residence test for legal aid.
Click here to read an article in the Guardian about the walkout.
Click here to read the latest article in the Law Gazette about this ongoing issue.