Recently run roundtables to discuss the option of funding access to justice through interest on client account, first previewed in The Law Society Gazette, have created more questions than answers according to attendees.
In July it was reported Legal Aid providers were invited to a series of roundtables to discuss the future of legal aid, and access to justice, with proposals including diverting interest on client account to a central fund from which firms could be paid; the Interest on Lawyer’s Client Account (ILCA) scheme. In correspondence inviting attendees to engage with the roundtables the Ministry of Justice said
‘There are significant demand and pressures on the justice system and advice sector. With wider funding constraints across both the public and third sectors securing additional financial resources to address these challenges will be difficult. In response, and as part of the future development of the legal support strategy, we are considering innovative approaches to generate additional funding for key areas including access to justice.’
Having now held the roundtables it appears they have created more questions than answers with The Gazette reporting there was little clairty on who would be in charge of the scheme, how much of the interest the MoJ might request, and which legal services might be involved.
In response the Ministry of Justice have said no final decisions have been made with a spokesperson adding
“This government is committed to improving access to justice for those that need it. We are exploring the possibility of an Interest on Lawyers’ Client Account scheme and will provide an update in due course.”
Speaking in an upcoming Today’s Family Lawyer podcast, a sister publication to Today’s Wills and Probate, on the impact of the Legal Aid Agency cyber attack which has rendered online system inaccessible Beverley Watson of Watsons Solicitors in Bristol said there was a fundamental choice needed in society as to whether we want to continue to provide legal aid.
“The the fact that legal aid is in such dire straits and has not been funded properly for so many years is a cause for concern, and particularly as to what’s going to happen next. There’s so many pulls on the coffers at 11 Downing Street and I think that probably legal aid lawyers are way down the list and near the bottom. So it’s difficult, but I think that that we have to try and say that it (legal aid) is important.”
