Housing lawyers in threat to quit over Carter reforms

More than half of housing lawyers are considering leaving publicly funded work or have colleagues who are doing so as a result of the Carter reforms, research has revealed.



A survey by the Housing Law Practitioners Association also found that 49% of its members do not expect to be providing legally-aided advice in two years’ time.



Respondents were almost unanimous (96%) in saying that proposals for fixed fees would be a disincentive to undertaking more complex cases.



Around two-thirds of respondents expected their income to decrease by more than 10%, while 38% expect it to decrease by more than 25%.



Vivien Gambling, the association’s chairwoman, said the plans were ‘crude and ill thought out’ and would have a ‘devastating effect’.



A Legal Services Commission spokeswoman claimed fixed fees would mean higher average remuneration per case for 66% of housing solicitors and that exceptional cases would still be paid at hourly rates.



Jonathan Rayner