Legal aid cuts ‘will destroy basic rights’

Government proposals to cut legal aid “make no sense” and will destroy prisoners’ basic rights, lawyers say.

The planned funding reductions – £220 million in cuts to legal aid in criminal cases – will end the current system where accused of a crime can call the solicitor of their choice who can then apply for aid.

The Association of Prison Lawyers said the cuts could dent confidence in the prison system and end up costing the public even more than current legal aid fees.

An APL spokesman said the proposals “make no sense either financially or in terms of public protection.”

“We are deeply concerned that people held in closed institutions have no access to legal advice without the assistance of the authorities,” he added.

“The removal of legal aid will destroy the basic right of all citizens to obtain legal advice.”

Charities and legal organisations staged a protest against the plans outside the Ministry of Justice in London earlier this week. We have one of the leading teams of criminal defence specialists in West London and the South East. If you are facing a serious criminal charge, you can contact a member of the IBB’s Criminal Defence team: call us on 08456 381381 or email criminaldefence@ibblaw.co.uk.