MCP Solicitors' News
MCP Fight For The Vulnerable
 Steve Welcomme |
MCP Partner and head of the Family Department, Steve Welcomme has been running a campaign to help keep Legal Aid available to all who need it in East Anglia. 34 other local law firms have joined forces along with 4 rural law societies.
This campaign has drawn a considerable amount of press attention including The Times Newspaper, in which Steve was quoted and The Law Gazette.
The government have proposed changes to the Legal Aid system in family and civil cases including paying a fixed fee and a reduction in the number of firms dealing with legal aid work.
These changes mean that many firms will be forced to stop providing Legal Aid as it will be financially impossible to continue to offer the service. People in rural areas will be particularly badly hit as there may not be a solicitor providing Legal Aid nearby.
Steve Welcomme said "Our privately paid work is already helping to subsidise our Legal Aid work, but we can't be expected to subsidise it further."
"What concerns me is that the most vulnerable people in society are going to find it difficult to get proper legal representation. The report has totally ignored the problems of rural areas like this. Lord Carter has admitted his proposals are based on an urban model."
"For instance if you are a woman living in Fenland in an abusive marriage you may find yourself having to travel miles to find a solicitor to represent you on Legal Aid, as the number of firms offering the service will be cut dramatically. That could be difficult if you have young children, no money and no transport."
"You could have the situation where the man, who works, has money to pay for proper legal representation, while the woman, who either doesn't work or only has limited income, will be unable to receive the same level of representation because she can't afford it."
"There will be an inequality of arms and that cannot be right when the aim is to ensure equal justice for all. It is the weak and vulnerable who will suffer. Many people will be deprived of the opportunity of putting their case in court or will have to do it unaided."
"The efficiency of the court system will be compromised by the poor preparation of the cases and poor standards of representation (or no representation) at court, at a cost of millions to the tax payer."
"Also, without access to proper legal advice or to the court the pressure will fall on the police, social services and other organisations, again at a cost to the tax payer."
"The public really do need to understand that it is not a question of fat cat lawyers being money grabbing. It is about ensuring that everyone who needs legal representation gets it and there is an equality of justice for all."
This campaign shows MCP's dedication to clients whether they be corporate, private or Legal Aid.
MCP would like to urge people to write to their local MP to express their views on the proposals.
For more information please contact Steve Welcomme.
