Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 8
8
Deferred
Paragraph: 40
The justice system needs talented lawyers from all backgrounds to choose to practise criminal law...
Conclusion
The justice system needs talented lawyers from all backgrounds to choose to practise criminal law and for the professions to be able to retain them. In 2018, The Future of Legal Aid 67 our predecessor Committee stated “that current difficulties in recruitment to the Criminal Bar could have a negative impact on future recruitment to, and diversity within, the judiciary—in particular for judicial office holders in the criminal courts”. This inquiry’s evidence has reaffirmed those concerns.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government acknowledges concerns regarding diversity and retention in criminal legal aid, stating that this issue is being considered as part of an Independent Review, to which they are committed to responding before the end of 2021.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
40
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government · verbatim extract
Deferred
as part of his Independent Review, including provider diversity and what the barriers to entry, retention and career advancement within the Criminal Legal Aid profession are for individuals with protected characteristics or from lower socio-economic backgrounds or for individuals operating within particular parts of England and Wales. We will address this issue in our response to his review and have committed to responding to the Review’s final report before the end of 2021.
Read the full response on Parliament ↗