Family Solicitors Drop Legal Aid Work

Thu, 08 Apr 2010

The president of the Law Society of Scotland has called for changes to the legal aid system. Ian Smart has suggested that a compulsory scheme be considered whereby law firms must fulfil a quota of free legal services to the public, or otherwise pay other legal firms to do so. Emanating out of concerns that legal aid remains underfunded, the new suggestions are designed to ensure access to justice.

There is a major problem with family lawyers refusing legal aid work. Some choose against performing legal aid work as they can charge higher legal costs on other cases, though some city law firms refuse the work as they cannot cover their costs on the cases. Recent research suggests that as many as one in three family solicitors no longer accepts legal aid work, putting women and children at risk of being unable to gain access to legal representation. Other lawyers have said there is too much bureaucracy and paperwork involved in legal aid work.

The Family Law Association has traditionally been a source of assistance, though it says it can no longer cope with the demand.
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