Martin Partington: Spotlight on the Justice System

The Government’s Consultation on the (further) reform of legal aid was noted in this blog in April 2013. While there is no evidence that the Government intends fundamentally to change its mind on its original proposals, it has made two concessions.

First it has abandoned the idea that those in receipt of legal aid should not have the ability to choose the lawyer they want.

Second, it has decided to do more work on proposals from the Law Society about how changes to legal aid practice might deliver savings while encouraging different forms of practice delivery. There will be a further limited consultation on these proposals in the autumn.

An excellent summary of the Secretary of State’s comments to the Justice Committee can be found at http://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/grayling-promises-second-consultation-legal-aid-sets-red-lines

You can see what Mr Grayling said to the Justice Committee at http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=13501