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I have seen a lot in the last two days about how awful the fees are in publicly funded criminal cases, and the rates of renumeration. The lack of fee increase in 25 years, in actual fact a decrease due to cuts and real terms when you consider inflation is a disgrace
I have seen a lot in the last two days about how awful the fees are in publicly funded criminal cases, and the rates of renumeration. The lack of fee increase in 25 years, in actual fact a decrease due to cuts and real terms when you consider inflation is a disgrace
In my own context, I am 23 yo. I start my training contract in September specialising in criminal defence (both public and private funding). I am one of THREE I know of starting a training contract in crime. I think I know maybe 30-40 people starting training contracts...
... in commercial/corporate firms. Their pay as trainees, is higher than people with 20/25 years PQE in criminal firms. Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining about renumeration from firms. The renumeration is principally a result of the poor fees. If everyone united, both...
the bar and sols, we would stand in good stead to increase AGFS and LGFS fees. The profession would then be substantially more viable and more people would join. Everyone I know who works in crime are dedicated, talented lawyers who manage substantial case loads.
People shouldn't have to work unpaid on Saturdays and Sundays, but we do to provide good service to our clients. People like @HudsonKerry should be able to afford to employ assistants so that when they return from duty slots, there isn't a mountain of work.
Advocates shouldn't have to work unpaid preparing a case until the early hours of the morning, because papers have been provided late. A funding increase should also cover CPS and Police, but targeted to increase efficiency. (see the Met IT system failure on Thursday)
A few weeks ago, @Beheshteh_E made the point that we should not return to the status quo and should be able to prepare cases adequately with ample time. People should be remunerated for their excellent work, and shouldn't be working until 2am. They should have time to see family.
But firms have real issues with succession planning, and there comes a point, where the only conclusion is that this is a deliberate aim of successive governments to erode access to justice and weaken fair trial rights. There are already substantial advice deserts.
Equally, Chambers have real issues with retention. In the last two weeks I have seen 5-10 very talented juniors under 5 years PQE leave crime entirely to go to civil/commercial sets. This should not be happening, and I largely suspect pay and working conditions are behind this.
But retention and succession also leads to other issues, as @jonblackbsb pointed out recently about the work done by himself, Paul Harris, Bill Waddington and Robin Murray about cuts. We also need people to take up the mantle. https://twitter.com/jonblackbsb/status/1278367499659161602?s=20
We must seize the opportunity to weaken trial rights, but also to force us to have extended hours, and weekend courts. We must now take the opportunity to increase fees, and bring about serious and real funding in the justice system. reversing the 8.75% cut is not enough.
We need radical change, and change that can only be achieved by considering united and universal strike action much like in 2014 and 2018, but we cannot back down at the first offer. Covid presents us with a great opportunity, at a time when the Govt needs us more than ever...
To clear the backlog THEY created - fee cuts, closing courts, selling off the court estate, merging duty schemes.
Covid added to it, and we need lawyers to call this out every time we see something to the contrary.
Covid added to it, and we need lawyers to call this out every time we see something to the contrary.
we must continue the momentum from @KarlTurnerMP excellent report, and ensure we get the change, not only firms and individuals need, but to ensure our clients achieve an excellent service and the system ensures fair trials and access to justice.
https://www.lccsa.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Karl-Turner-MP-Coronavirus-Legal-Aid-Report-FINAL.pdf
https://www.lccsa.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Karl-Turner-MP-Coronavirus-Legal-Aid-Report-FINAL.pdf
