tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336321.post114796473456967084..comments2007-02-15T16:41:29.716ZSteve Butler, UKlawyershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17748725013014103191noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336321.post-1150330071111277282006-06-15T01:07:00.000+01:002006-06-15T01:07:00.000+01:00All civil legal aid faces the same problem. Criminal faces other problems. I don't think it has sunk in yet how drastic the plans are. Rates are to be frozen for the next 5 years on top of the 'large firm only' scheme. Plus the CLACS and CLANS as dubious solutions to advice deserts.<BR/><BR/>It is a real possibility that this is the end for small specialist legal aid firms.contacthttp://nearlylegal.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27336321.post-1148557907606160652006-05-25T12:51:00.000+01:002006-05-25T12:51:00.000+01:00A speaker on a legal Training course I attended nearly ten years ago said that legal aid would be allowed to die "a death of 1,000 cuts". The government would not risk announcing outright abolition, but would gradually restrict and regulate legal aid to the point that almost no one would qualify for it, and it would scarcely be worth having anyway.<BR/><BR/>Solicitors who are prepared to carry on doing the work should accept that that is how it is going to be. Otherwise, don't do legal aid. Harsh, but true.Tim Prestonnoreply@blogger.com