“The decline in the availability of practitioners to support the Duty Solicitor Scheme has been an ongoing concern for several years given unrealistic fee levels. The Law Society is campaigning nationally on this issue. If you can take the time to contact your MP directly to set out your concerns along the lines suggested, that would be an important step in trying to keep the Scheme viable.” says President of Liverpool Law Society, Jeremy Myers.
In June 2023, The Law Society launched its campaign highlighting the falling number of duty solicitors in police force areas across the country and the impact of this on the criminal justice system. Some of The Law Society’s members say they’re already struggling to cover duty schemes, and the Society is hearing instances where this has resulted in police being forced to release suspects because they cannot progress without legal representation. Until the government pays legal aid solicitors properly, this situation will only get worse. The Law Society is calling its members to write to their MP to raise the issue with police and crime commissioners and the relevant ministers. Please help by sending your letter now using the Society’s online platform Stop the demise of duty solicitors.