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JLS FINAL The Effects of Changes to Legal Aid Provision in Summary Criminal Cases.pdf (588.94 kB)

The effects of changes to legal aid on lawyers’ professional identity and behaviour in summary criminal cases: a case study

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journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 07:08 authored by Lucy WelshLucy Welsh
This article explores the effects of changes to legally aided representation on criminal cases in magistrates’ courts according to data collected in an area of South East England. I consider the political factors that motivated changes to legal aid and suggest how these issues affecting lawyers’ understanding of their role, and how that understanding affects the relationships between defendants, lawyers and the magistrates’ courts. I argue that the research indicates a potential relation between solicitors’ risk taking behaviour in obtaining funding and the reintroduction of means testing; remuneration rates affect the service that defendants receive and that the reintroduction of means testing decreased efficiency in summary criminal courts. Ultimately, I argue that changes to legal aid funding have increased lawyers’ uncertainty about their role, leaving them torn between acting efficiently and providing a good level of service.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

Journal of Law and Society

ISSN

0263-323X

Publisher

Wiley

Issue

4

Volume

44

Page range

559-585

Department affiliated with

  • Law Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2017-07-20

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2018-08-28

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2017-07-20

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