The Law Society Criminal Legal Aid Campaign – how you can help

Posted on31 May 2022

In five years’ time, we may no longer have a criminal justice system worthy of the name:

the number of criminal legal aid firms has almost halved in the last 15 years
duty solicitors are increasingly scarce in some parts of the country
only 4% of duty solicitors are under the age of 35

After 25 years of cuts, the government now has the opportunity to invest in our justice system and put it on a sustainable footing.

However, the government’s proposals for criminal legal aid for solicitors are 40% below what the Independent Review of Criminal Legal Aid identified as the bare minimum needed to start to address the crisis.

A crucial government consultation into its funding closes on 7th June, so time is running out fast.

The Law Society have created a series of videos on social media to explain exactly what is going on – and why it is so important lawyers get involved, no matter their area of specialty.

We’d really appreciate it if you could do two things:

Click on the links belowand like each video post from your own account, then leave a (hopefully positive!) comment under the post, and finally share it from your account so your followers see it
Forward the links by email to your contactsand ask them to do the same.

We really appreciate your help.

SOCIAL POSTS TO SHARE:

Our intro film explaining the big trouble criminal justice is in:

A short ‘day-in-the-life’ film of a duty solicitor fighting a losing battle as the system crumbles around her:

A one-minute film from member Stephen Davies, explaining why no new blood is coming into the profession:

Twitter

A one-minute film from member Joe Mensah-Dankwah, explaining the impact the government’s proposals will have on ethnic minority communities, both in terms of access to justice and access to the legal profession:

Twitter

Burges Salmon has been an enthusiastic supporter of BLS for many years. BLS provides a valuable role in uniting and promoting the whole of the legal sector across Bristol to benefit both its members and the city. It facilitates collaboration across the sector to ensure that we can all make a difference. Whether that is driving important initiatives in, for example, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and the use of new technologies, liaising with stakeholders and charities in our wider community or providing training to generations of lawyers, the service and support provided by BLS is invaluable. More recently BLS has taken a lead on promoting Bristol’s legal brand, encouraging legal and business services talent to come to the city, which in turn attracts clients and inward investment to our thriving and vibrant commercial community. BLS breaks down barriers and brings those in the profession together for the greater good. We are proud of our long-standing association with BLS.
Roger Bull - Managing Partner, Burges Salmon
Three things to say about my experience of working with Bristol Law Society. Their central team, council members and general hangers-on are just about the nicest, most generous group of people working in the legal sector today. The numerous events, awards, socials and conferences I’ve had the pleasure to attend over the years have been, without exception, top quality and supremely organised. And, thirdly, they consistently exceed and challenge the boundaries of what lawyers might assume a regional Law Society will restrict activities to – from a hugely successful charitable school meals drive to corporate social responsibility and diversity campaigns to being joint architects and coordinators of the region’s unique Bristol+BathLegalTech group, which it has been my privilege to co-chair for the last five years.
Chris Bull - Principal, Edge International
As one of the leading Insurance brokers for law firms in the UK and with a large presence in Bristol it seemed only natural for us to support the Bristol Law Society. Bristol Law Society is one of the oldest and most vibrant of the Law Societies in England and Wales. We are pleased to be working with them on important matters relating to law firms’ liability insurances and Risk Management. From Sole Practitioner to Top 20 law firms we are sure our two organisations can provide excellent support and assistance for the challenges faced by the legal profession.
Matthew Baker - Financial Lines Group, Howden Insurance Brokers Ltd
Joining BLS in 2013 and becoming President in 2018/19 has created many longstanding friendships and business relationships, whilst also unlocking doors to other opportunities in the City. BLS enabled a perfect balance of professional development and also opportunities to give back to the legal and wider community. I am pleased that my Firm has supported BLS in many capacities since 2013 and continues to do so.
Nicholas Lee- Managing Director of Paragon Costs Solutions and Past President of BLS