*R (on the application of London Criminal Courts Solicitors Association and another) v Lord Chancellor

Legal aid – Criminal cases. The claimants sought judicial review of the Lord Chancellor's decisions that there would be 525 duty provider work contracts and an average immediate reduction of 8.75% in criminal legal aid fees. The Administrative Court, in allowing the application in part, held that the failure to consult on two reports concerning the deputy provider work contracts had been so unfair as to result in illegality. However, the decision as to the 8.75% reduction would not be quashed, as there was not a sufficient connection between the flaws identified in the consultation process and the decision to reduce fees.