Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 11
11
Paragraph: 52
The criminal legal aid system should be restructured so that it enables legal aid lawyers...
Recommendation
The criminal legal aid system should be restructured so that it enables legal aid lawyers to provide effective representation at every stage of the process, works for complex cases and sustains providers in all areas of England and Wales. The Government should reduce the role of fixed fees within the legal aid system to ensure that high- quality work at every stage of proceedings and on complex cases is fairly remunerated.
Paragraph Reference:
52
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
The accelerated measures brought significant new funding to criminal legal aid, including to solicitors, through payments for reviewing unused material and sending cases to the Crown Court. In addition, the Criminal Legal Aid Independent Review’s Terms of Reference include a section on ‘fee review’ considering whether a mechanism to review fees might ensure they are flexible, can adapt to changing market conditions, encourage new providers to enter the market and incentivise providers to continuously improve the quality of their services. 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.