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I have been doing Legal Aid work for 41 years. I applaud the idea of a Justice Week. After all I entered the Legal Profession all those long years ago in order to help the underprivileged obtain Justice. By a strange twist of fate Justice week corresponds with my firms 60th Anniversary celebrations. But will there be any Legal Aid remaining in the next 20 years let alone the next 41 years?
Strangely the Treasury seems to think that endless cuts of the Legal Aid Budget will save money. But this is such an ignorant and short sighted approach.
I remember well the then Head of the Legal Services Commission (as the LAA was then), addressing an Annual Conference of the LAPG and talking about research that showed that those clients who slipped through the system, ending up in prison, hospitals or some form of secure unit cost the state on average £200,000.00 each. Often these people are not able to access Legal advice. Out of scope for Legal aid they drift into street homelessness, petty crime and disaster. Early access to skilled Legal Advice can solve a large number of problems. Not all problems but it is not a coincidence that street homeless numbers have become much worse since LASPO.
So perhaps Justice week will shine a light on the dilemma of Legal Aid lawyers. Perhaps a Government minister may decide that the time has come to reverse the situations and encourage early access to Legal Advice.
I am an optimist. Surely things can get no worse?

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