Judicial Review of Lord Chancellor’s Decision on Criminal Legal Aid Fees Scheduled Before Christmas

The Law Society’s legal challenge against the lord chancellor’s decision not to increase criminal legal aid fees for solicitors by the recommended 15% will be heard in the weeks leading up to Christmas. The timetable for the case was discussed at a recent case management hearing before Mr Justice Jay at the Royal Courts of Justice.

During the hearing, Thomas de la Mare KC, representing the Law Society, emphasized the need for a rapid hearing, pointing out the lack of criteria for assessing the quality of legal services provided by solicitors in different areas. He highlighted the importance of data on factors such as waiting times for solicitors at police stations to determine if there is an access to justice problem.

The court also granted the Law Society’s application to present expert evidence from Abi Adams-Prassl, an economics professor at the University of Oxford. The case is set to be heard by two judges over three days between November and December.

The legal challenge raises important questions about the criteria used to assess legal services and the availability of data to determine access to justice issues. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the legal aid system and the provision of legal services to those in need.