A WARRINGTON law firm has helped persuade Lord Chancellor Chris Grayling to perform a u-turn on proposed changes in the legal aid system which would have prevented people choosing their own solicitor.
Mr Grayling visited the Stockton Heath office of QualitySolicitors Forshaws Davies Ridgway to hear the views of partners on a wide range of legal topics.
The session was scheduled as part of a visit to Warrington and within the meeting the firm’s Head of Criminal Law, Gary Heaven, presented
arguments in favour of allowing those arrested and charged before the court to choose their own solicitor.
The Government published a consultation paper in April proposing, amongst other changes, to allocate Legal Aid lawyers from a limited number of Legal Aid suppliers. Mr Heaven joined with senior judges, politicians and the Law Society in arguing clients would have no choice of representation and quality would not be safeguarded.
Following the meeting, Mr Grayling wrote a letter to the chair of the House of Commons Justice Committee, Sir Alan Beith, to say he had decided to maintain the status quo.
Mr Grayling declared that after listening to the views of the Law Society and others: “I am looking again at this issue and expect to make changes to allow a choice of solicitor for clients receiving criminal legal aid.”
Also putting forward views on a wide range of legal topics were fellow partners Norman Banner, Deborah Hodd, John Spittle and Jennifer Roulston. They told him that major reductions in the legal aid scheme, introduced in April, now mean many people are unable to obtain expert legal help with family matters, such as divorce, or compensation for injuries or professional negligence.
Warrington was also struggling to deliver swift and affordable justice because of the overcrowded county courts, they said.
Mr Grayling said the government was looking at digitising proceedings in a bid to speed up court procedures.
Senior Partner Norman Banner said: “We are delighted the Lord Chancellor chose our legal practice to consult on a wide range of legal issues. There are many changes proposed to the provision of legal services that affect the people of Warrington.
“Hopefully Mr Grayling left with a better idea of the reality of how the legal system is working for local people and the locally-based law firms who serve them.”
Mr Grayling is no stranger to Warrington after unsuccessfully attempting to win the Warrington South seat in the 1997 General Election.
He later went on to win the Tory safe seat of Epsom and Ewell.
Picture shows (L-R) Jennifer Roulston, Chris Grayling MP, Deborah Hodd, Norman Banner, John Spittle and Gary Heaven.
Lord Chancellor looks at legal aid u-turn
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
