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BBC look at legal aid reforms
In the first programme of a new series of Law in Action, Joshua Rozenberg examines the arguments and the likely impact of the contentious changes proposed for legal aid. It’s on Radio 4, 21 February at 4.00pm.
“The single biggest attack on access to justice since the legal aid system was introduced.” That’s the view of the Law Society on the government’s controversial proposals to reform the civil justice system.
But the Government argue that the legal aid system has become unaffordable and along with the ‘no win, no fee’ deal has helped create a litigious society. They say the current system is a boon for lawyers, while draining resources from organisations like the NHS and leaving many small businesses in fear of legal action.
The government is planning to scrap legal aid in some areas and make fundamental changes to ‘no win, no fee’. The aim is to bring down costs and encourage alternatives to going to court.
But the bill to introduce these changes has been having a rocky ride in parliament and there is widespread opposition to the reforms. Advice centres, lawyers and even some from the government’s own benches say the changes will deny justice for vulnerable people, and will ultimately end up costing the government more money.
You can listen to the episode of Law in Action, looking at legal aid reforms via the BBC i-player, for the next 25 days. Covers welfare benefits advice, amongst other things.