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In terms of experts instructed by the defence the hourly rates were cut by 20% across the board in December 2013. Since an expert witness is not a lawyer & many potential expert witnesses are also engaged in other work it has generally been possible for them simply to stop undertaking legal aid work without risk of going out of business.

The effect however has been a silent reduction in the choice of experts available to legally aided defendants.. I know of many forensic accountants (which is my own field) who do not now accept legal aid work. I continue to do so because I find it rewarding in a non-financial sense - not because of the money.

David