Lawyers hit out over legal aid plans

LAWYERS have fired a warning shot across the bows of the Scottish Government over plans to introduce contracting in criminal legal aid cases.

The Glasgow Bar Association is concerned it has not been consulted on what it says “may represent the most fundamental changes to legal aid”.

Contracting would limit the number of firms able to carry out legal aid cases, potentially based on cost.

It has proved controversial south of the Border, and the profession is concerned about how such a structure will work in Scotland.

In a statement, Glasgow Bar Association said: “The GBA, together with the Edinburgh Bar Association, wrote to Slab [the Scottish Legal Aid Board] on 21 March and expressed the opinion that it could be reasonably anticipated that contracting 
may represent the most fundamental changes to legal aid and, in light of this, sought answers to what proposals were being made.

“It worries the GBA and the profession that the Scottish Government doesn’t have a view.

“It worries the GBA and the profession that no one has asked for their view.

“However, perhaps a more important worry is the fact that Slab, once again, are proceeding with one view, their own.”

The Law Society of Scotland has previously raised concerns about contracting.

Proposals are expected soon.