Pictured above: Jim Abbott, senior partner at Mander
Cruickshank
One of the region's most senior solicitors has hit out at
Government plans to slash legal aid, claiming it will lead to a
third rate system for many of the East Midlands most vulnerable.
Jim Abbott, a senior partner at Mander Cruickshank called the
plans to cut £350m from the legal aid budget 'shortsighted
and inevitably creating more problems than solutions.'
Mr Abbott, whose firm has offices in Coalville and Hinckley
warned the situation would lead to poor legal representation and a
strain on the courts.
He said: "A large part of society will not have access to the
courts or will find themselves without proper advice and
representation due to these ill thought out measures."
Legal aid is due to be removed for welfare benefits advice,
clinical negligence, debt, employment, many immigration matters,
education and housing as part of the coalitions cost-cutting
measures.
"People will be contacting other agencies such as charities and
social services due to these cuts," added Mr Abbott, a solicitor
for 32 years. "Lots of people will be attending court unrepresented
and with no idea of the complex procedures. It will inevitably
cause chaos."
"Aside of all this and more seriously, there will be injustices.
The list is long. It will destroy the lives of families and
individuals because they've not had justice."
Whilst the subject has caused outrage in the legal world, with
the Law Society fiercely opposing the cuts, Mr Abbott said many of
the wider public did not know the ramifications.
"The people of the East Midlands need to know what is going on
and how their lives can be affected. We understand the Government
need to make cuts, but this is just poorly thought through."
Many legal groups have put forward alternative proposals for
cutting expenditure, including charities, victims groups, insurers
and the legal profession.
"We need the public at large on board with this as well," added
Mr Abbott. "With enough reasoned opposition we can only hope the
Government will listen and find an alternative."