LEGAL AID CUTS UNFAIR AND SHORT-SIGHTED
November 19, 2010
Posted by:Jo Chapman
Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA) are urging members of the public to respond to consultation on plans to cut legal aid completely for clinical negligence cases. If implemented, the proposals could add millions of pounds to the NHS bill for settling medical negligence compensation claims, as well as making access to justice impossible for many would-be claimants. This is because people will be forced to enter into no-win no-fee agreements with lawyers, which are much more expensive to settle than legal aid cases. For some people even this will not be an option, because other planned changes in Lord Jackson’s report will mean that no-win no-fee agreements are outside the reach of many people.
AvMA chief executive Peter Walsh said: "The overall effect of changes will hit the poorest hardest, denying them access to justice".