Members of the Bar across Bristol are taking an active role in opposing the proposals of the Ministry of Justice to transform Legal Aid.
They are very pleased to be doing so in conjunction with solicitors across the region. The proposals are widely regarded as unfair and unjust.
Sir Anthony Hooper (recently retired from the Court of Appeal) said this to the ‘Justice for Sale’ meeting of solicitors and barristers in London on 22nd May:
“The proposals of .the Minister of Justice are fundamentally flawed and must be rejected in whole.
The first thing we must all do is to sign the petition, the e-petition which yesterday was sitting at 50,000 (now 62,000).
It is a complete scandal that changes of this kind can be done by secondary legislation”.
We have asked every member and every employee of our respective Chambers in Bristol to:
1. Sign the e-petition http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/48628
2. Write to the Minister of Justice;
3. Write to their MP and to the Select Committee for Justice;
4. Respond to the Consultation Paper.
We would urge all members of the Bristol Law Society to do likewise.
Michael Fitton QC
Albion Chambers
Peter Blair QC
Guildhall Chambers
Christopher Taylor
Queens Square Chambers
Richard Stead
St John’s Chambers
John Isherwood
Unity Street Chambers
Ian Lawrie QC
3 Paper Buildings