Legal Aid cuts blamed for delays and violence

Posted By: James

Thursday 15th May 2014

Senior judges have blamed cuts in legal aid for a surge in unrepresented claimants, outbreaks of courtroom violence, additional litigation and increased costs. In a written submission to MPs, the Judicial Executive Board implies that the MoJ’s policies aiming to reduce the legal aid bill may have been counter-productive. The judges say one of the worst effects has been on security in courts. “LiPs 'litigants in person' sometimes come to court with a group of friends and/or family for support. Tensions can run high between rival camps in the waiting area. Very occasionally there are significant outbreaks of violence. The smaller courts (typically the county courts) are not equipped to deal with such incidents. There is the potential for significant harm to judges, court staff and members of the public alike." They also raise concerns about the large increase in the number of cases where one or both parties do not have legal representation, and the increasing length of cases.

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