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MPs on Justice Committee warn of impact on legal profession of COVID-19

The Justice Committee has expressed concern that as a result of the coronavirus, some barristers, solicitors and law centres may collapse.

In a report published last week, Coronavirus (COVID-19): the impact on the legal professions in England and Wales, the committee said: “The Coronavirus pandemic is an unprecedented public health emergency. Measures taken to control the disease have unavoidably affected the justice system.

“During the period of ‘lockdown’ there have been fewer arrests and charges and fewer prosecutions brought by the Crown Prosecution Service. Trial by jury was paused. Fewer civil cases have started. While the most urgent cases have been dealt with by those courts that have remained open and via remote hearings using video and phone calls, many others have been put on hold.”

The report said the reduction in legal activity meant lower incomes for legal services providers.

It noted that legal services providers had been able to use some of the general financial support schemes offered by the Government and there had been some changes to the way legal aid wa paid, “however there are gaps in the support”.

The committee said legally aided services, that were already under significant financial strain following many years of reductions to legal aid budgets, were under great pressure. “We are concerned that as a result of Coronavirus some barristers, solicitors, and law centres may collapse.”

The report said that, “given the pent-up demand and the increased number of cases waiting to be heard that has built up since mid-March 2020, it is imperative that the Ministry of Justice takes action to prevent the collapse of legal services providers that will be needed as the measures to control coronavirus are lifted. Without this there is a clear risk that those seeking legal advice and representation will find that it is not there when they need it.”

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