Law and Rights
Last week, Barristers called off further planned protest action over legal aid having entered into a deal with the Ministry of Justice to suspend some of the cuts until after the 2015 general election - The Guardian 27th March. The agreement between the Ministry of Justice, Bar Council and Criminal Bar Association is available via the Ministry website. This is proving to be controversial. In a statement of 28th March about the agreement, Nigel Lithman QC stated that there would be a ballot:
The case for a NO vote is now set out by Mr Lithman on the Criminal Bar Association website - (Rocks and Hard Places). Crimeline has published a case by Mr Ian West of Fountain Chambers, Middlesborough for a YES vote - CBA Vote Yes. See also Charon QC - Guest Post 4th April - A call to arms - why we must hold the line.
Earlier post .... Putting off the evil day or a viable pathway for the criminal justice system?
Additional Comments:
On the side of a YES vote is a piece by Christine Eadie and published via the Criminal Bar association In another letter to that website a senior junior says A Plague on both your Houses. The Vice Chair of the Criminal Bar Association offers 27 points to consider if thinking of voting Yes.
Protests by others:
Protests by Solicitors and Probation Officers are continuing - The Guardian 31st March. Criminal solicitors and probation officers have begun 48 hours of industrial action in protest against cuts to legal aid and the privatising of offender rehabilitation services.
There is also concern that further Ministry of Justice inspired changes to Judicial Review will have a chilling effect on challenging poor government decision-making, leading to a situation of state impunity.
The Ministry of Justice has laid before Parliament new regulations aimed at introducing a residency test for legal aid. REPRIEVE argues that this will deny justice to a wide range of people wronged by the UK Government ? from victims of torture and rendition to Gurkhas and Afghan interpreters denied the right to settle in Britain.
- All Rather Confusing ...!
Addenda - Sunday 26th July 2015 and Tuesday 28th July On Thursday 23rd July, representatives of the solicitor side of the legal profession met with the Lord Chancellor (Michael Gove) over their concerns about fee reductions for criminal legal aid...
- Criminal Bar And The Fight For Legal Aid
Update 15th July: Ballot result via Criminal Bar Association - the vote in favour of no new work and 'no returns' to support solicitor's action was 982 to 795 - equating to 55% in favour and 45% against. Francis Fitzgibbon QC was...
- Criminal Legal Aid
The coalition government (2010-15) reduced considerably the provision of legal aid for civil cases. The Conservative government is pressing ahead with plans - put together by the coalition government - to reduce fees payable to solicitors...
- Criminal Bar Association Votes No
Update 10th April: Message from the Chairman of the Criminal Bar Association As reported in my earlier post (A pivotal decision for the criminal bar), members of the Criminal Bar Association were balloted on the following motion: ?Do you wish...
- The Lincoln's Inn 'legal Aid Rally'
Nigel Lithman QC is the present Chairman of the Criminal Bar Association. In his 'Monday Message' he reports about a Rally at Lincoln's Inn last Saturday. The meeting was attended by barristers from all over the country. ...
Law and Rights
A pivotal decision for the Criminal Bar
?Do you wish to continue no returns and days of action until all the cuts and reduction in contracts are abandoned? Yes No |
The case for a NO vote is now set out by Mr Lithman on the Criminal Bar Association website - (Rocks and Hard Places). Crimeline has published a case by Mr Ian West of Fountain Chambers, Middlesborough for a YES vote - CBA Vote Yes. See also Charon QC - Guest Post 4th April - A call to arms - why we must hold the line.
Earlier post .... Putting off the evil day or a viable pathway for the criminal justice system?
Additional Comments:
On the side of a YES vote is a piece by Christine Eadie and published via the Criminal Bar association In another letter to that website a senior junior says A Plague on both your Houses. The Vice Chair of the Criminal Bar Association offers 27 points to consider if thinking of voting Yes.
Protests by others:
Protests by Solicitors and Probation Officers are continuing - The Guardian 31st March. Criminal solicitors and probation officers have begun 48 hours of industrial action in protest against cuts to legal aid and the privatising of offender rehabilitation services.
There is also concern that further Ministry of Justice inspired changes to Judicial Review will have a chilling effect on challenging poor government decision-making, leading to a situation of state impunity.
The Ministry of Justice has laid before Parliament new regulations aimed at introducing a residency test for legal aid. REPRIEVE argues that this will deny justice to a wide range of people wronged by the UK Government ? from victims of torture and rendition to Gurkhas and Afghan interpreters denied the right to settle in Britain.
Probation and lawyers joint picket line at Westminster Mags. Stop Graylings attack on justice #unity4justice pic.twitter.com/M3py47hnIM
? Matt Foot (@MattFoot2) March 31, 2014
- All Rather Confusing ...!
Addenda - Sunday 26th July 2015 and Tuesday 28th July On Thursday 23rd July, representatives of the solicitor side of the legal profession met with the Lord Chancellor (Michael Gove) over their concerns about fee reductions for criminal legal aid...
- Criminal Bar And The Fight For Legal Aid
Update 15th July: Ballot result via Criminal Bar Association - the vote in favour of no new work and 'no returns' to support solicitor's action was 982 to 795 - equating to 55% in favour and 45% against. Francis Fitzgibbon QC was...
- Criminal Legal Aid
The coalition government (2010-15) reduced considerably the provision of legal aid for civil cases. The Conservative government is pressing ahead with plans - put together by the coalition government - to reduce fees payable to solicitors...
- Criminal Bar Association Votes No
Update 10th April: Message from the Chairman of the Criminal Bar Association As reported in my earlier post (A pivotal decision for the criminal bar), members of the Criminal Bar Association were balloted on the following motion: ?Do you wish...
- The Lincoln's Inn 'legal Aid Rally'
Nigel Lithman QC is the present Chairman of the Criminal Bar Association. In his 'Monday Message' he reports about a Rally at Lincoln's Inn last Saturday. The meeting was attended by barristers from all over the country. ...