BARRISTERS, solicitors and clerks held a moment of silence “for the death of justice” outside Winchester Crown Court.
About 30 members of the legal profession took part in a protest yesterday to mark the end of a 40-day public consultation on controversial cost-cutting proposals.
Chris Grayling, the Justice Secretary, aims to save £220m by getting lawyers to compete for legal aid work by offering the lowest price.
Defence barrister Adrienne Knight, who took part in the protest, said defendants would be denied the right to choose their own local solicitor and the quality of representation would be greatly reduced.
She said: “The Government says this is about money – it is not. It is about justice and in a democratic country it means people won’t get the defence they deserve.”
The Bar Council says the changes will destroy many smaller firms of solicitors.
Other changes mean defendants with a disposable household income of £37,500 or more will be stopped from receiving legal aid.
Mr Grayling says proposals represent best value for taxpayers and denied it would affect someone’s right to a fair trial.
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