Legal aid: Bring back training grants

Increased fees and the reinstatement of training grants are needed to ensure the survival of the justice system and secure the next generation of legal aid providers, according to a campaigning lawyers' group.

Publishing its 'Manifesto for Legal Aid' in advance of the general election, the Legal Aid Practitioners' Group (LAPG) has called on the next government to reverse the criminal and civil legal aid cuts and return to 2011 fee rates.

The group seeks an immediate review of LASPO and the reinstatement of funding for housing, debt, and social welfare benefits cases.

It supports the recommendations of the Low Commission, including a national strategy for advice and legal support and a ten year £100m fund to develop provision; half of which should be provided by the government, with matched funding from other sources, including the private sector.

Among its measures to reverse the fall in legal aid take-up for those who remain eligible are the removal of the capital test for those on benefits, the restoration of the equity disregard for a client's main dwelling, and removal of children's savings from the capital calculation.

It calls on the government to amend the exceptional funding scheme, which has failed to operate as the legal aid safeguard the government promised it would, and to abandon its appeal against the 12month residence qualification.

The manifesto seeks an independent organisation to gather evidence about the cost drivers across the justice system and to set the rates for civil and criminal legal aid fees.

Condemning the devastating impact of the civil and criminal legal aid cuts, the LAPG director, Carol Storer, said: "The result is social inequality at an unacceptable level that has further marginalised already vulnerable groups.

"The intended savings have not materialised but led to increased knock-on costs across the public sector."

To ensure that talented people from all backgrounds continue to practise in legal aid and provide a sustainable quality service, LAPG also seeks the reinstatement of the training grants given to firms by the Legal Aid Agency (LAA).

The LAA's forerunner, the Legal Services Commission (LSC), scrapped the grants in 2010 in order to save £2.6m a year. From 2002, the LSC scheme gave money to firms to help cover 750 students' training fees and salaries.

Storer added: "If there is to be quality civil and criminal justice in future years, it is the next generation who will provide this, supported by the organisations with the expertise and skills to train them.

"Both elements are necessary to the justice system to survive for the next generation and beyond."