A judge stayed confiscation proceedings worth £1.5 million as an abuse of process last month because a defendant could not find an experienced barrister willing to act on current legal aid rates.
Confiscation proceedings were brought against the defendant, P, after he pleaded guilty to two drug-related offences, but he had to dispense with his legal team before the confiscation hearing and applied to the Legal Services Commission (LSC) for legal aid.
P's solicitor Jansen Versfeld approached 18 sets of chambers in London, Leeds and Sheffield, but no barrister would accept the case due to the low fees - £175.25 per day for the hearing, without payment for preparation. Judge Mole said P could not have a fair hearing because he could not be adequately represented.
The LSC is 'considering the judgment'.
Catherine Baksi
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