*/
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.
Sam Townend KC explains the Bar Council’s efforts towards ensuring a bright future for the profession
Giovanni D’Avola explores the issue of over-citation of unreported cases and the ‘added value’ elements of a law report
Louise Crush explores the key points and opportunities for tax efficiency
Westgate Wealth Management Ltd is a Partner Practice of FTSE 100 company St. James’s Place – one of the top UK Wealth Management firms. We offer a holistic service of distinct quality, integrity, and excellence with the aim to build a professional and valuable relationship with our clients, helping to provide them with security now, prosperity in the future and the highest standard of service in all of our dealings.
Is now the time to review your financial position, having reached a career milestone? asks Louise Crush
If you were to host a dinner party with 10 guests, and you asked them to explain what financial planning is and how it differs to financial advice, you’d receive 10 different answers. The variety of answers highlights the ongoing need to clarify and promote the value of financial planning.
Most of us like to think we would risk our career in order to meet our ethical obligations, so why have so many lawyers failed to hold the line? asks Flora Page
If your current practice environment is bringing you down, seek a new one. However daunting the change, it will be worth it, says Anon Barrister
Creating advocacy opportunities for juniors is now the expectation but not always easy to put into effect. Tom Mitcheson KC distils developing best practice from the Patents Court initiative already bearing fruit
Sam Townend KC explains the Bar Council’s efforts towards ensuring a bright future for the profession
The long-running fee-paid judicial pensions saga continues. The current cut-off date for giving notice of election to join FPJPS is 31 March 2024, and that date now gives rise to a serious problem, warns HH John Platt