THERE could be miscarriages of justice because of the Government's legal aid shake-up, a Grimsby solicitor has warned.
Michael Culshaw, pictured, of Michael Culshaw & Co, said: "What Chris Grayling is saying is that defendants should not have the right to choose a solicitor – so they would be prosecuted by the state and represented by the state.
"Everyone has the right to a fair trial.
"From next year though, the state will choose your lawyer for you, no matter what.
"You can choose your doctor, your dentist, your children's school but not your lawyer."
Mr Culshaw added: "Client choice ensures we, as lawyers, work to the best of our ability for you.
"Take it away and what incentive is there for the state-appointed lawyer?
"Miscarriages of justice will follow. How much will that cost the taxpayer?
"These proposals are an attempt by the Government to reduce legal aid spend.
"They aim to save £200-million a year, yet the taxpayer is owed about £450-billion from the bailed-out banks!
"How does that even compare? Wouldn't the taxpayer prefer this billion-pound debt to be paid first?
"Legal aid spend represents about one per cent of the Government's annual expenditure.
"Why are we being targeted? Money can easily be saved by scrapping taxpayers' money being used on idiotic call centres used to alert us to clients' arrests.
"Scrap them and have the police simply call us upon an arrest like they used to do.
"Now, call centres are used at massive costs. Why?
"We work efficiently and economically in a system that is ineffective and uneconomical."