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Government never likes to pay Legal Aid lawyer more money but a time will come when there are no legal aid lawyers left. Who then will deal with Homelessness cases, defend possession proceedings and ensure that tenants are not living in rat infested slums. Legal Aid lawyers actively save the Gov`t money. By keeping tenants in their homes that saves money. Likewise preventing street homelessness by insisting Local Authorities house vulnerable people saves the NHS a fortune. Street homeless people go to hospitals a lot and use up a great deal oi NHS budget.
As a Housing solicitor I see a trend of young solicitors not wishing to work on low salaries in high street legal aid practices and moving ac
ross to Landlord/Private practices doing work for Local Authorities and Housing Associations - and who can blame them?
But the Legal Aid Housing cohort is already very small - just about 400 firms across the country - and that figure is diminishing. Once gone the Legal Aid housing lawyers will not be capable of replacement. That will be tragedy for the Tenants,/homeless, but also will come at great cost to Government.
Time was when our Legal Aid system was the Best in the World. It was something to boast about.
Now it is withering and frankly beginning to die. Such a shame for everyone.