Family Law Courts At “Breaking Point” According To Reports

April 1, 2009 - PRLog -- Under Government proposals, £6.5million is to be shaved from the legal aid budget leading to fears that this could potentially leave thousands of women and children at risk from abuse. This has been met by dismay from family law solicitors, who have claimed that such cuts are driving qualified professionals away from the profession.

Recent reports, published by the Bar Council has illustrated that reductions are driving out scores of highly qualified family law solicitors from family work and this has left only inexperienced lawyers to deal with complex cases.  It has been revealed that one in four barristers has turned down at least one case in the past year due to issues with fees. If Government proposals for further cuts go ahead, then it is estimated that more than 80% of family law solicitors will reduce their legal aid work, with 40 per cent indicating an intention to stop this type of work entirely.

Desmond Browne, QC, chairman of the Bar commented:

“It is especially regrettable that barristers are effectively penalised for doing legally aided family work, rather than privately paying work, and that this is hitting women and black and minority ethnic advocates hardest of all.”

Chairman of the Family Law Bar Association, Lucy Theis QC echoed this sentiment, saying:

“The consequences of this loss of expertise are extremely grave for some of the most vulnerable in society.”

A spokesperson for family law solicitors Lees also commented, stating:

“These reductions are a great shame, as they are actively prohibiting the work of some of the finest family law solicitors on legal aid cases, restricting the access to justice for low-income households. This is particularly apparent in the financially uncertain times we find ourselves in.”

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