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'The JLD has 70,000 members. I'm afraid that says it all. The number of criminal solicitor advocates and barristers is probably at least 5x greater than the amount of legal aid work available. Arguing that this work will become the preserve of already wealthy individuals is beyond absurd. All the advocates I meet in court are ordinary folk trying to earn a modest living. Many full time crown court advocates are earning £30-40k with no prospect of ever getting a pay rise. What has happened to the duty solicitor schemes says it all; schemes that functioned very well with 20 members 25 years ago now have 2,3,4 even 500 members. Last time I looked Camberwell Green had over 700 members. The JLD needs to tell new entrants to the profession that there is no money in criminal legal aid.