Adjusting to the legal aid cuts might be the new normal, says Roger Smith
The bulk of the cuts to legal aid are likely to remain. Public opposition to these outrageous reductions in the entitlement of the poorest in society must continue. However, privately, there are signs of adaptation to what is likely to be the “new normal”.
Labour: look away
The Labour Party manifesto at least contains some hopeful words: “We will make sure that access to legal representation, a cornerstone of our democracy, is not determined by personal wealth but remains available to all that need it.” But, if you thought that this meant a commitment to reinstate legal aid for poverty or family law, think again. Labour would widen the test for domestic violence and rescind the hike in employment tribunal fees. It also expressly commits itself to the Human Rights Act which at least protects criminal and some civil legal aid provision. Sadiq Khan, Labour’s shadow Lord Chancellor, spelt out detail to The Guardian (2 March) uncompromisingly headlined “Labour cannot reverse Tory legal aid cuts”. (See further p 7.)
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