Hold off signing legal aid contracts, Napier urges solicitors

Law Society President Michael Napier will write to the profession this week urging them to hold off signing criminal legal aid contracts.

The decision received unanimous support in this week's Law Society Council meeting.

Mr Napier will write to firms recommending that they hold back from signing until 'there is a fair and workable contract, complete in all its terms'.

It is likely that amended contracts will be with firms this month.

Rodney Warren, chairman of the Society's access to justice working party, said the consequences of not signing meant those who did would have to provide continuous cover.

'Those firms will approach total collapse in two months,' he warned.

Law Society Vice-President David McIntosh said: 'Criminal practitioners have got to hold the line.

If they break the line on this, they will be committing financial suicide.' Sue Allen