The Government has today responded to the “Transforming Legal Aid: Crime Duty Contracts” consultation published on 24 September.

The changes made pursuant to the consultation are trivial and do not address the problems inherent in the proposals. The Government continues to rely on unreliable assumptions and has ignored the evidence and informed expert opinion.

We have repeatedly warned government that the CBA believes that the implementation of this scheme will cause serious and irreversible damage to the Criminal Justice System.

We also note that there is an expressed intent to implement further fee reductions in July 2015. We remind the Government of the words of their own experienced and respected Minister, Lord Faulks QC that, “ the fat has been so far removed from the carcass of criminal legal aid that these further cuts really threaten our justice system.”

We intend to consult widely with the solicitors’ profession and their representative bodies before considering any further response.