Plaid Cymru’s justice spokesperson Elfyn Llwyd MP has today submitted evidence to the UK Government’s consultation on legal aid, and urged for a rethink of the cuts which will result in only the wealthiest in society being able to afford quality legal advice.
Mr Llwyd has raised concerns that these cuts target the most vulnerable in society, in particular children caught up in divorce cases, and will also have a disproportionate impact on rural and smaller legal aid firms.
He also warned that this would leave to over-reliance on advice agencies and an increase in self-representation in courts.
The UK government is currently consulting on proposals to slash £350 million from the £2 billion legal aid budget.
Legal aid is currently available for people who would not otherwise be able to afford legal advice, for a range of civil legal problems, such as cases involving debt, benefits, housing and relationships.
Mr Llwyd said: “The proposals set out in the government’s consultation document on cuts to legal aid will leave long-standing and drastic effects on the makeup of our legal system.
“I have raised a number of issues which particularly worry me.
“I sincerely hope that the Ministry of Justice listens to the responses it receives – unlike what happened with the consultation on courts closures which just went ahead regardless of the concerns raised.
“I’m concerned at the sheer number of cases which will no longer be covered by legal aid – such as areas of family law, immigration, housing and welfare benefits.
“The removal of ancillary relief in nearly all family law cases will have a devastating impact on divorce cases involving children as issues such as child custody and maintenance will not be dealt with sensibly.
“If the proposals under consultation are implemented, victims of domestic violence will not receive legal aid to get residence orders which might be necessary to protect them and their children from abusive partners.
“Instead we will see people having to represent themselves, which is very dangerous for vulnerable people, or over-reliance on advice agencies which are already pushed.
“These proposals will also have a disproportionate impact on smaller legal aid firms. Reducing fees paid to solicitors and experts will have a drastic effect particularly in rural areas.
“The profits made by legal aid firms are already very low, and a move to fixed fees for all cases will inevitably mean suppliers will only take on the least complicated cases –leaving the most vulnerable more frequently than not without legal advice.”
