We note, with interest, Peter Nelson's letter concerning Legal Aid reform (Legal concerns, April 23).

Mr Nelson suggests the proposals have addressed concerns, and implies Law Society support.

Mr Nelson fails to mention the Law Society's unanimous vote of no confidence in the Legal Service Commission on March 29, or that the Law Society is in the process of taking the Legal Service Commission to court.

Our area is already seeing the potential effect of these reforms, as a majority of local suppliers have stopped representing people in some rural areas such as Beverley, Bridlington and Goole because, under the reforms, it is no longer economic.

We are not "fat cats" opposing reform to line our own pockets. Legal Aid pay rates haven't increased at all for some ten years, and we provide a service to the most vulnerable members of society, 24 hours a day, seven days a week at the police station, for £52 an hour, from which we pay all the costs of a business. We would challenge you to find other professions prepared to turn out at 2am on a Saturday morning, or in the middle of Christmas dinner, for that. The Government's own figures suggest experienced lawyers in this area should be paid £183 an hour.

Our role in a democratic society is to act as a balance to the police and prosecuting authorities, preventing, for example, the kind of policing prevalent in the past and depicted in TV dramas such as Life On Mars. Our role is not to see the guilty escape punishment but ensure that when people are drawn into the criminal justice system, miscarriages of justice are avoided and justice is done.

The proposed reforms will not ensure long-term sustainability of Legal Aid. Some unnecessarily cost the taxpayer more money. Others will force many firms out of business, causing advice deserts, where people can't get adequate local help. They will deny people access to justice.

The Legal Aid system may well need reform, but the current proposals are not the answer. That is why 147 MPs from all parties have publicly called on the Government not to abandon reform, but to abandon these reforms.


All criminal defence solicitors in York and Selby.