LEGAL support for poor and vulnerable people in Bury is under threat from government plans to reduce the number of law firms who can help people on legal aid.
The Access to Justice Bill, which started its House of Commons stages from early March, contains powers to restrict arbitrarily the public's choice of legal advice and the amount of help available under the legal aid scheme for particular types of case.
The legal aid scheme is very much a local service. People with genuine legal problems, who pass the strict means test, currently have direct local access to solicitors. Legal aid is no different from other services, such as health and social services. It is a safety net to help some of the most vulnerable in our communities in times of need.
Anyone who wishes to discuss the implications of this Bill should ring Mr Robert Hargreaves, representing the Bury Law Society (tel: 773 2969).
DAVID K. SHARPLES,
regional secretary North West.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article