*/
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.
Now is the time to tackle inappropriate behaviour at the Bar as well as extend our reach and collaboration with organisations and individuals at home and abroad
A comparison – Dan Monaghan, Head of DWF Chambers, invites two viewpoints
And if not, why not? asks Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management
Marie Law, Head of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, discusses the many benefits of oral fluid drug testing for child welfare and protection matters
To mark International Women’s Day, Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management looks at how financial planning can help bridge the gap
Casey Randall of AlphaBiolabs answers some of the most common questions regarding relationship DNA testing for court
Maria Scotland and Niamh Wilkie report from the Bar Council’s 2024 visit to the United Arab Emirates exploring practice development opportunities for the England and Wales family Bar
Marking Neurodiversity Week 2025, an anonymous barrister shares the revelations and emotions from a mid-career diagnosis with a view to encouraging others to find out more
David Wurtzel analyses the outcome of the 2024 silk competition and how it compares with previous years, revealing some striking trends and home truths for the profession
Save for some high-flyers and those who can become commercial arbitrators, it is generally a question of all or nothing but that does not mean moving from hero to zero, says Andrew Hillier