England: Criminal legal aid rates to be comprehensively reviewed

Lucy Frazer QC, a justice minister, said the government intended to carry out a “fundamental review” of criminal legal aid payments.

Writing for the Criminal Bar Association’s e-newsletter, she said: “Starting in January, we will work with you, the criminal defence profession, to gather the necessary evidence as part of this robust and wide-ranging review.

“We want to work closely with the profession to ensure that criminal defence remains a sustainable and attractive career and that individuals continue to have access to justice.”

In January, criminal fees will rise by one per cent, a change that is the “the first step in a much larger process of reform”, Ms Frazer said.

The figure of £23m is £8m more than was originally offered to practitioners and £15m more than was spent in 2017-18.

Ms Frazer added: “While I am pleased that the Law Society, Bar Council and Criminal Bar Association support the changes we have made, we also know that these changes will not resolve all of the concerns raised.

“That is why we have committed to a fundamental review of criminal legal aid payment schemes. This will go far beyond the previously announced review of the new scheme and consider criminal legal aid throughout the lifecycle of a criminal case.

“As part of this, we will consider wider concerns raised during the consultation, as well as the recent reports on criminal legal aid and disclosure by the justice select committee and the Attorney General’s review.”