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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Legal fees row 'could hit trials' | Legal fees row 'could hit trials' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Major trials could be delayed because barristers are refusing to work for £91 an hour, it has been warned. | Major trials could be delayed because barristers are refusing to work for £91 an hour, it has been warned. |
| Lawyers in England and Wales are boycotting a panel set up to decide pay rates in the most serious court cases. | Lawyers in England and Wales are boycotting a panel set up to decide pay rates in the most serious court cases. |
| Criminal Bar Association chairman Peter Lodder QC told the Times at least five trials had already been affected and more could be hit in the coming weeks. | Criminal Bar Association chairman Peter Lodder QC told the Times at least five trials had already been affected and more could be hit in the coming weeks. |
| The Ministry of Justice said it would not expect any cases to be delayed for "lack of an appropriate advocate". | The Ministry of Justice said it would not expect any cases to be delayed for "lack of an appropriate advocate". |
| Mr Lodder said the rates of pay for Legal Aid work being offered by the Very High Cost Cases (VHCC) panel for preparation work leading up to a trial ranged from minimums of £70 for a junior barrister to £91 for a QC. | Mr Lodder said the rates of pay for Legal Aid work being offered by the Very High Cost Cases (VHCC) panel for preparation work leading up to a trial ranged from minimums of £70 for a junior barrister to £91 for a QC. |
| He told the Times: "Society as a whole has an interest in seeing that these cases are properly funded. | He told the Times: "Society as a whole has an interest in seeing that these cases are properly funded. |
| "If barristers won't do this work, then the whole ethos of serving the public suffers - as does the reputation of the criminal justice system." | "If barristers won't do this work, then the whole ethos of serving the public suffers - as does the reputation of the criminal justice system." |
| 'Not fat cats' | 'Not fat cats' |
| Mr Lodder said a barrister would receive only about half the fee, after deductions such as overheads, expenses and tax. | Mr Lodder said a barrister would receive only about half the fee, after deductions such as overheads, expenses and tax. |
| He added: "You might be better off buying a pair of pliers and working as a plumber. This is our livelihood and most barristers are proud of the work they do. | He added: "You might be better off buying a pair of pliers and working as a plumber. This is our livelihood and most barristers are proud of the work they do. |
| "And contrary to public conception, these are not all fat cats - few barristers doing these high-profile cases earn a lot of money." | "And contrary to public conception, these are not all fat cats - few barristers doing these high-profile cases earn a lot of money." |
| Among the cases reported to have been affected is the trial of a 17-year-old accused of the murder of Rhys Jones in Liverpool. | Among the cases reported to have been affected is the trial of a 17-year-old accused of the murder of Rhys Jones in Liverpool. |
| However, the panel made an exception for the defendant and Merseyside Police and Merseyside CPS say they know of no delay to the case, which is due to begin on 2 October. | |
| Mr Lodder said defendants in serious cases may have to be released on bail because of the row, as they can only be held in custody for a maximum of 112 days between committal and the trial arraignment. | Mr Lodder said defendants in serious cases may have to be released on bail because of the row, as they can only be held in custody for a maximum of 112 days between committal and the trial arraignment. |
| A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "Solicitors have told the Legal Services Commission that they expect to be able to find counsel of the requisite experience to act in very high cost cases. | A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "Solicitors have told the Legal Services Commission that they expect to be able to find counsel of the requisite experience to act in very high cost cases. |
| "The establishment of the Very High Cost Cases panel, following a competitive tender, was part of a balanced package of reforms to put the legal aid budget as a whole on a sustainable footing, which was well understood by the Bar." | "The establishment of the Very High Cost Cases panel, following a competitive tender, was part of a balanced package of reforms to put the legal aid budget as a whole on a sustainable footing, which was well understood by the Bar." |