*/
THE Bar Council has published a booklet marking the 60th anniversary of the Legal Aid and Advice Act 1949. The booklet, Legal Aid: 60 Years of Public Service by Barristers, was launched at the Chairman of the Bar’s Media Reception at Middle Temple, and sets out the history of legal aid since 1949. It describes how barristers funded by legal aid have acted for some of society’s most vulnerable over the past 60 years.
The booklet emphasises the crucial role legal aid plays in providing a fair and effective justice system, by highlighting a number of case studies in criminal, family and civil law. The studies show how public funding of legal representation by barristers has made a real difference to people’s lives and helped to develop the law. The Bar Council’s booklet is published as the publicly-funded Bar is coming under increasing strain with the prospect of further cuts by the Ministry of Justice and the Legal Services Commission (LSC). Proposals to introduce Best Value Tendering (BVT), which are not based on any reliable empirical or economic evidence, will inevitably drive down quality. With many experienced advocates already leaving publicly-funded practice because they cannot afford to stay at the Bar, the impact of successive legal aid cuts on an effective justice system is likely to result in increased, not decreased, public expenditure.
Desmond Browne QC, the Chairman of the Bar, said: “The booklet paints a very moving picture of how legal aid has changed the lives of those going through the justice system since 1949. Continuous unnecessary cuts to legal aid are doing huge damage to a system which provides a cost-effective service to those who need it most. Recent cuts to family legal aid, which will result in a poorer service to vulnerable children and families, are just one example of the LSC’s mishandling of the reform of legal aid in England and Wales. This is likely to have serious consequences for those who are caught up in legal proceedings at a very difficult time in their lives. The Bar has consistently supported reform of the administration of legal aid, but it must be evidence-based and properly assessed for its impact. Arbitrary cuts will cost the taxpayer more in the long-term and may lead to miscarriages of justice. The public interest in providing proper funding for specialist advocacy remains as important today as it was in 1949 when the Legal Aid and Advice Act became law. Alongside healthcare and education, legal aid is one of the three main pillars of the welfare state. It deserves to be supported and not undermined in the name of supposed efficiency savings.”
Desmond Browne QC, the Chairman of the Bar, said: “The booklet paints a very moving picture of how legal aid has changed the lives of those going through the justice system since 1949. Continuous unnecessary cuts to legal aid are doing huge damage to a system which provides a cost-effective service to those who need it most. Recent cuts to family legal aid, which will result in a poorer service to vulnerable children and families, are just one example of the LSC’s mishandling of the reform of legal aid in England and Wales. This is likely to have serious consequences for those who are caught up in legal proceedings at a very difficult time in their lives. The Bar has consistently supported reform of the administration of legal aid, but it must be evidence-based and properly assessed for its impact. Arbitrary cuts will cost the taxpayer more in the long-term and may lead to miscarriages of justice. The public interest in providing proper funding for specialist advocacy remains as important today as it was in 1949 when the Legal Aid and Advice Act became law. Alongside healthcare and education, legal aid is one of the three main pillars of the welfare state. It deserves to be supported and not undermined in the name of supposed efficiency savings.”
THE Bar Council has published a booklet marking the 60th anniversary of the Legal Aid and Advice Act 1949. The booklet, Legal Aid: 60 Years of Public Service by Barristers, was launched at the Chairman of the Bar’s Media Reception at Middle Temple, and sets out the history of legal aid since 1949. It describes how barristers funded by legal aid have acted for some of society’s most vulnerable over the past 60 years.
The booklet emphasises the crucial role legal aid plays in providing a fair and effective justice system, by highlighting a number of case studies in criminal, family and civil law. The studies show how public funding of legal representation by barristers has made a real difference to people’s lives and helped to develop the law. The Bar Council’s booklet is published as the publicly-funded Bar is coming under increasing strain with the prospect of further cuts by the Ministry of Justice and the Legal Services Commission (LSC). Proposals to introduce Best Value Tendering (BVT), which are not based on any reliable empirical or economic evidence, will inevitably drive down quality. With many experienced advocates already leaving publicly-funded practice because they cannot afford to stay at the Bar, the impact of successive legal aid cuts on an effective justice system is likely to result in increased, not decreased, public expenditure.
Our call for sufficient resources for the justice system and for the Bar to scrutinise the BSB’s latest consultation
Marie Law, Head of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, discusses alcohol testing for the Family Court
Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth explains how to make sure you are investing suitably, and in your long-term interests
In conversation with Matthew Bland, Lincoln’s Inn Library
Millicent Wild of 5 Essex Chambers describes her pupillage experience
Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth explores some key steps to take when starting out as a barrister in order to secure your financial future
From a traumatic formative education to exceptional criminal silk – Laurie-Anne Power KC talks about her path to the Bar, pursuit of equality and speaking out against discrimination (not just during Black History Month)
Inspiring and diverse candidates are being sought for the Attorney General’s Regional A, B and C Panels - recruitment closes at noon on 10 October 2024
Expectations, experiences and survival tips – some of the things I wished I had known (or applied) when I was starting pupillage. By Chelsea Brooke-Ward
If you are in/about to start pupillage, you will soon be facing the pupillage stage assessment in professional ethics. Jane Hutton and Patrick Ryan outline exam format and tactics
In a two-part opinion series, James Onalaja considers the International Criminal Court Prosecutor’s requests for arrest warrants in the controversial Israel-Palestine situation
