GOVERNMENT cutbacks are forcing a major York solicitors' firm to abandon publicly-funded criminal work.

Harrowells has represented defendants in thousands of cases for at least 30 years, with charges ranging from murder to petty vandalism.

But now it will not take on new criminal legal aid clients after this weekend.

"We feel we have supported legal aid very strongly over the years," said chief executive Mark Tempest, "But it is more and more a small part of what we do."

Government restrictions mean that only those on low incomes qualify for legal aid in criminal cases.

Lawyers locally and nationally have long complained about the level of fees they can claim under the scheme and its complexity.

"The Government's public funding contract for criminal advice has become less attractive commercially and increasingly bureaucratic to manage," said Mr Tempest.

"The overwhelming majority of the firm's work is focusing on advising individuals, families and businesses who pay for their own legal advice.

"Eligibility for publicly-funded advice has become so restrictive that most people we deal with would not be eligible in any event."

Two professional members of the firm's 160 plus staff now face redundancy, a decision the firm regrets.

Lawyers in York and elsewhere have repeatedly warned that legal aid rates are too low to allow them to prepare a case as fully as they would like, and discourage young lawyers from specialising in criminal defence work.

Solicitors working in commercial or other fields can expect to have incomes considerably greater than those in publicly-funded criminal defence work.

Harrowells will continue to act for and offer advice to privately-funded clients facing prosecution in areas such as trades description, food hygiene, health and safety and consumer credit.

It will also continue to act for legally-aided clients in clinical negligence and care proceedings.

Harrowells, formerly known as Harrowell Shaftoe, is among the biggest firms in North Yorkshire, with three large York offices in St Saviourgate, Haxby and Clifton Moor, and more than 160 lawyers and other staff. It is celebrating its centenary this year.

Mr Tempest said the decision to pull out of legally aided criminal practice is unconnected with its recent change in structure to a limited liability partnership.