*/
Criminal solicitors failed in their attempt to halt the Ministry of Justice’s plans to press ahead with the introduction of a two-tier contracting model for criminal defence work.
Dismissing an appeal against the reforms by the Law Society, the London Criminal Courts Solicitors’ Association and the Criminal Law Solicitors’ Association, the Court of Appeal gave the go-ahead for the process that will cut the number of contracts from around 1,600 to 527.
The groups fear that the move will drive many firms out of business, create advice deserts and lead to a fall in standards of representation and a rise in miscarriages of justice.
The Law Society President, Andrew Caplen, said: “The Court of Appeal decision is a devastating blow. We remain concerned that vulnerable people may not be able to obtain legal representation if they are accused of wrongdoing.”
He confirmed that Chancery Lane had taken the “difficult” decision not to seek to continue the fight in the Supreme Court following advice from counsel that the judgment was “robust” and an appeal unlikely to succeed.
The tender process, which had been suspended until the judgment, reopened and ends on 5 May. If introduced, the new contracts will run from January 2016.
Solicitors have planned meetings to consider their next move, while the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) is also canvassing its membership over how best to support to solicitors.
CBA Chairman, Tony Cross QC, appealed to his members to campaign on behalf of their solicitor colleagues. The next steps, he said, will be informed by the outcome of the General Election.
If elected, the Labour Party has promised to scrap the new tendering plans and review the second tranche of 8.75% fee cuts, due to be introduced in the summer.
Responding to the 2014 consultation on the changes, the Bar Council warned that the proposals would result in “a massive, and irreversible, dislocation of the market for criminal litigators, with many firms and individuals leaving criminal litigation for no apparent benefit”.
Dismissing an appeal against the reforms by the Law Society, the London Criminal Courts Solicitors’ Association and the Criminal Law Solicitors’ Association, the Court of Appeal gave the go-ahead for the process that will cut the number of contracts from around 1,600 to 527.
The groups fear that the move will drive many firms out of business, create advice deserts and lead to a fall in standards of representation and a rise in miscarriages of justice.
The Law Society President, Andrew Caplen, said: “The Court of Appeal decision is a devastating blow. We remain concerned that vulnerable people may not be able to obtain legal representation if they are accused of wrongdoing.”
He confirmed that Chancery Lane had taken the “difficult” decision not to seek to continue the fight in the Supreme Court following advice from counsel that the judgment was “robust” and an appeal unlikely to succeed.
The tender process, which had been suspended until the judgment, reopened and ends on 5 May. If introduced, the new contracts will run from January 2016.
Solicitors have planned meetings to consider their next move, while the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) is also canvassing its membership over how best to support to solicitors.
CBA Chairman, Tony Cross QC, appealed to his members to campaign on behalf of their solicitor colleagues. The next steps, he said, will be informed by the outcome of the General Election.
If elected, the Labour Party has promised to scrap the new tendering plans and review the second tranche of 8.75% fee cuts, due to be introduced in the summer.
Responding to the 2014 consultation on the changes, the Bar Council warned that the proposals would result in “a massive, and irreversible, dislocation of the market for criminal litigators, with many firms and individuals leaving criminal litigation for no apparent benefit”.
Criminal solicitors failed in their attempt to halt the Ministry of Justice’s plans to press ahead with the introduction of a two-tier contracting model for criminal defence work.
As we look ahead to Justice Week 2022, the sustainability of the Criminal Bar remains a critical issue for the government to address
Opportunity for female sopranos/contraltos in secondary education, or who have recently finished secondary education but have not yet begun tertiary education. Eligibility includes children of members of the Bar
Fear of the collection and test process is a common factor among clients, especially among vulnerable adults in complex family law cases. Cansford Laboratories shares some tips to help the testing process run as smoothly as possible
Casey Randall explains how complex relationship DNA tests can best be used – and interpreted – by counsel
Casey Randall, Head of DNA at AlphaBiolabs, explores what barristers need to know about DNA testing for immigration, including when a client might wish to submit DNA evidence, and which relationship tests are best for immigration applications
Julian Morgan reminds barristers of the top five areas to consider before 5 April
The case ofR v Brecanihas complicated matters for defence lawyers. Emma Fielding talks to gang culture expert, Dr Simon Harding about County Lines, exploitation and modern slavery
Barristers are particularly at risk of burnout because of the nature of our work and our approach to it but it doesnt have to be this way. Jade Bucklow explores how culture, work and lifestyle changes can rejuvinate our mental health...
Professionally embarrassed? The circumstances in which criminal barristers may return instructions to appear at trial have become clearer following the Court of Appeal judgment inR v Daniels By Abigail Bright
The Schools Consent Project (SCP) is educating tens of thousands of teenagers about the law around consent to challenge and change what is now endemic behaviour. Here, its founder, barrister Kate Parker talks to Chris Henley QC about SCPs work and its association with Jodie Comers West End playPrima Facie, in which she plays a criminal barrister who is sexually assaulted
Following the launch of the Life at the Young Bar report and a nationwide listening exercise, Michael Polak and Michael Harwood outline the Young Barristers Committees raft of initiatives designed to address your issues of concern
