The CLSA has responded to the current consultation on criminal legal aid fees. Here is a link to our response:
Whilst the proposed fee increases are welcome, the Government must not consider, for a moment, that they have solved the problems identified by Lord Bellamy in November 2022. Far from it. Firms will have no confidence in the future and will not make positive recruitment commitments without, at the very least, a commitment to inflation linked fee increases going forward.
We urge all members to access the consultation and respond to it (you can respond online) via the following link. Responses must be received by tomorrow, 4th July.
Criminal Legal Aid: Proposals for Solicitor Fee Scheme Reform – Ministry of Justice – Citizen Space