Grimsby defendants could end up being represented by Hull solicitors who know nothing about them if controversial Government proposals over legal aid go ahead. Court Reporter Mark Naylor finds out more.
DEFENCE solicitors are warning that slashing the number of legal aid contracts could mean that Grimsby-area defendants might have to be represented by out-of-town solicitors who have never even met them before.
The proposals could mean that it would be a total lottery over which solicitor represents clients.
Grimsby defendants who have always asked for the same local solicitor could end up being allocated a Hull solicitor they have never heard of and who knows nothing about them, their background or their offending history.
The proposals are being vigorously opposed by Grimsby solicitors, including Nigel Sloane, pictured below right, Ernie Lidster, Michael Culshaw and Andrew Havery.
Mr Sloane, of Roy Foreman & Co, said that clients who had received a good service from their solicitor – and who would want to continue to use the same solicitor – would no longer be able to choose who they want to represent them.
"The solicitor will be appointed for them, like it or not," said Mr Sloane.
"Client choice in who represents them will be a thing of the past.
"The legal profession regards this as objectionable.
"Under the proposals, it could just as easily be a firm from Hull which is allocated to represent you – with no knowledge of the client or their history."
Nationally, the Government is proposing to reduce the number of criminal defence firms holding legal aid contracts by 75 per cent – from 1,600 at the moment to just 400.
In Humberside, it is proposed to have just four firms covering a vast area that would include Hull, Beverley, Bridlington, Grimsby and Scunthorpe.
Work across the region would be shared between four firms through a strict call-centre-controlled system.
Grimsby firms who want to tender for contracts would be expected to be able to cover:
Five magistrates' courts – at Hull, Beverley, Bridlington, Grimsby and Scunthorpe.
Two Crown courts – in Hull and Grimsby.
Seven police stations – three in Hull and others at Beverley, Bridlington, Grimsby and Scunthorpe.
Mr Sloane said: "A firm that tenders has to be able to represent clients in all those police stations and all those courts.
"It will mean extra work for anybody who wants to do that. It is extremely unlikely that any small firm will be able to deliver the service expected by these proposals because the firms will simply not be big enough to cope."
He added that even the larger Grimsby firms would find it virtually impossible to do that.
This would be the case even if they contemplated opening new offices in Hull, with all the huge funding and staffing costs implications.
Some firms might be compelled to consider merging to set up larger firms but even these might not be viable because of the vast area to be covered.
Mr Sloane said that another factor would be a proposed "massive cut in payments" which he claimed were "strangling the profession".
The Government is expected to make a decision on the likely way forward after June 4, when a consultation period ends.
Mr Sloane said: "The public funds available for the work are to be dramatically slashed.
"The Government has reduced average costs by 17 per cent and told solicitors to bid under this to get the cheapest.
"Solicitors feel this will dramatically affect the quality of the service that the general public will get and fear that there will be miscarriages of justice as a result.
"Local solicitors view the proposals as unworkable and are calling for the government to abandon the plans.
"They feel there should be a full and proper review, which has not been undertaken.
"They would then engage with the Government to see what can be achieved sensibly in savings."
