The Law Society is to advise its members to consider withdrawing from legal aid work or scaling it back until the UK government provides a “meaningful response” to lawyers’ demands.

Richard Atkinson, the society’s incoming president, said: “Solicitors were on the front line of the response to the riots over the summer as the prime minister himself recognised.

“However, his party’s rhetoric about supporting the rule of law and access to justice is not being matched by action to safeguard the future of the criminal defence profession.” 

In January, the High Court ruled that the previous government’s refusal to increase pay rates was irrational.

Mr Atkinson said: “We have been banging on their door asking the new government how they will respond to our judicial review and when criminal legal aid will get the increases it needs.

“But all we have had in return is warm words, lack of transparency and empty assurances. Delay, delay, delay with no concrete timeline for action and little hope of investment in criminal legal aid in the autumn Budget.

“That is not good enough for victims left waiting years for justice. It is not good enough for defendants left to represent themselves and it is not good enough for duty solicitors, left to watch their firms collapse under them.”

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “The new government inherited a justice system under enormous strain and a criminal legal aid system facing significant challenges. Criminal defence lawyers play an essential role in ensuring that justice is done.

“While any decision on future government funding is subject to the Spending Review, we are committed to working with the legal profession to support the sustainability of the market now and in the future.”