BLS President, Ashley Palminteri, has urged all BLS members to consider the Law Society’s PCT campaign page http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/representation/campaigns/criminal-legal-aid/ and, if they feel it appropriate, to sign the petition within it.

Ashley commented:-

“We at Bristol Law Society are ever conscious of the radical changes that our profession, and with that I mean both solicitors and the Bar, are facing at these very bleak times.

I have personally signed the petition, and we urge all our members to sign up.

In terms of other initiatives:

·         We held a Q&A session with Lucy Scott-Moncrief on 1 May in the Law Library which was extremely well attended by our members; the focus of which was on PCT. This was referred to in her weekly round-up

·         I have subsequently written personally to Des Hudson, Chief Executive of The Law Society and to Lucy Scott-Moncrieff, President

·         I have also written to the Presidents of Joint IV (Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham Law Societies)

·         I have written to the Presidents of ASWLS (Cornwall, Plymouth, Devon & Somerset, Monmouthshire, Gloucester & Wiltshire Law Societies)

·         On a recent invitation, we nominated David Fanson of Sansbury Douglas to attend a private meeting with Chris Grayling – but regretfully did not get selected

·         I am due to attend the next meetings of Joint IV (4 June) and ASWLS (6 June) where no doubt this will dictate a significant part of the agenda

We are also very fortunate to have Ian Kelcey in our ranks. Ian works tirelessly on this cause and was able to attend a meeting with Chris Grayling. I have liaised frequently with Ian about recent developments at Chancery Lane and Westminster.”

This e-petition remains open to signatures and will be considered for debate by the Backbench Business Committee should it pass the 100 000 signature threshold.