BAKERS SOLICITORS TAKE A LEAD IN CHALLENGING THE GOVERNMENT'S LEGAL AID PROPOSALS

Partners Kirsten Collings and David Parkes meet with Andrew Bingham MP to discuss their concerns.

The Government is trying to introduce changes to the legal aid system that will have an adverse effect on our community. As one of the few remaining High Peak based solicitors firms to offer Legal Aid, Bakers Solicitors is committed to the growing campaign to stop the proposed changes.

Bakers Solicitors are opposed to the changes and are working hard to ensure the decision makers are aware of the catastrophic impact they would have if implemented. As a solicitors firm that has an enviable reputation of providing expert advice and representation to those who need it, Bakers Solicitors are well placed to take up the challenge.

If the Government’s proposals are implemented as first proposed they will eradicate client choice. Members of the community will lose the right to have a solicitor of their own choice represent them in matters that are before the court. Bakers Solicitors are particularly concerned about the impact on the local area because if the proposed changes take effect it is a real possibility that there will not be any solicitor’s practices in the High Peak that will be able to offer representation unless you are prepared and able to fund this privately. It is quite clear that the proposals will have a negative impact on more rural areas creating ‘advice deserts’. This will apply to our local towns such as Glossop, Buxton, Hadfield, New Mills, Whaley Bridge, Matlock, Bakewell and so forth all of which are currently able to use the services of specialist firms such as Bakers Solicitors.

When Bakers Solicitors digested the proposals we immediately made contact with the MP for the High Peak, Andrew Bingham, and invited him to our Glossop offices to raise the concerns. The meeting between Andrew Bingham MP, Kirsten Collings and David Parkes took place on Friday 28 June 2013. It was evident that Mr Bingham had taken our concerns seriously as he informed those present at the meeting how he had already met with the current Justice Secretary Chris Grayling to discuss the issues. Mr Bingham shared our concerns about the High Peak and the possibility of an ‘advice desert’ as well as the removal of client choice. We were given the clear indication that our concerns had been listened to. In fact Mr Bingham was prepared to go one step further and suggest that following his discussion with the Justice Secretary he would be very surprised if the proposed changes are put into practice. Mr Bingham was keen to assure us and his constituents that the Government would carefully consider the responses to the consultation (which Bakers Solicitors contributed to) and any U-turn be evidence that is the case.

Bakers Solicitors are leaders in the areas of Family, Criminal, Road Traffic and Licensing Law. Bakers Solicitors are proud to be one of the few remaining firms to retain a contract with the Legal Aid Agency and the only firm in the High Peak to offer both Criminal and Family Legal Aid. The level and quality of service is assured by Lexcel Accreditation and they also have approval as a Derbyshire Trusted Trader. Bakers Solicitors want this level of service to remain available to all members of the community regardless of means.

Kirsten Collings who is specialist Criminal Defence and Road Traffic Solicitor can be contacted by KCollings@bakers-solicitors.com.

David Parkes who is a specialist Family Law Solicitor and member of the Law Society’s Children Panel can be contacted by DParkes@bakers-solicitors.com.