Legal Aid Crisis Claims Another Victim: Mackintosh Law to Wind Down Operations

Mackintosh Law, a long-standing firm specializing in mental capacity and community care support for disabled clients, has announced its decision to wind down operations due to the ongoing crisis in the legal aid sector. Founder Nicola Mackintosh KC (Hon) expressed pride in the firm’s work over the past 25 years, highlighting the importance of representing vulnerable clients and ensuring their rights are protected.

Despite the firm’s dedication to serving its clients, Mackintosh cited the stagnant civil legal aid rates as a major factor contributing to the firm’s closure. With overhead costs on the rise and no ability to increase fees to cover expenses, Mackintosh Law found it increasingly difficult to attract and retain staff capable of providing the necessary support to clients.

As a result, the firm has begun a careful redundancy consultation process and will gradually wind down operations over the coming months. However, Mackintosh remains committed to continuing her work in legal practice, advocating for the rights of disabled individuals and pushing for much-needed civil legal aid reform.

While the government has initiated a civil legal aid review, any potential measures to support the struggling sector may not be implemented until late 2024. In the meantime, Mackintosh Law’s closure serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing legal aid providers and the vulnerable clients they serve.