*/
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.
Making a move from the Bar to a career in governance: Maria Brookes outlines three good reasons to switch and how to do it
Inés Rivera explains how speech recognition can help barristers create accurate documentation faster
What should barristers be doing on the personal finance front ahead of the end of the tax year on 5 April? Julian Morgan of Fleet Street Wealth answers your questions
Are you ready to embark on this arduous but potentially rewarding journey? Julie Gottlieb of Sherwood PSF Consulting provides a self-examination checklist, hints and tips to help you prepare for a future application
Unlocking your aged debt to augment cash flow in one easy step… By Philip N Bristow of Vector Professions Finance
A day in the life of the junior criminal barrister/Twitter sensation who is currently on maternity leave with her second child while her husband is away on a lengthy military tour of duty
A fictionalised account of hidden battles during an ordinary court day. By Rehna Azim
The law is broken. Help us prove it, writes Rohini Teather
Now in its third year, the Bar Pro Bono Awards is already a firm fixture in the legal awards calendar. Read the inspirational stories behind the awards...
