Central Scotland Labour MSP Siobhan McMahon has urged the Scottish Government to reveal when a review of current legal aid arrangements will take place.
Ms McMahon made her calls while questioning the Scottish Government Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs, Paul Wheelhouse, at the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 14th January.
In September 2015, Ms McMahon wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Falkirk West MSP Michael Matheson, highlighting concerns raised by members of the Falkirk and District Faculty of Solicitors about new inadequate legal aid rates of pay which would see lawyers out with Edinburgh suffer losses by agreeing to appear in the new Sheriff Appeal Court.
Ms McMahon again raised these concerns while questioning Mr Wheelhouse. She also reiterated her belief that it’s unacceptable that under the new sheriff appeal court arrangement, those judges who preside at hearings, the other court officials, police officers and lawyers for the prosecution will receive 2015 rates of pay, while those in court who are standing up for the appellant will receive only 1992 rates of pay.
Ms McMahon said “I was pleased to have the opportunity to question the Paul Wheelhouse on this issue which I know is of real importance to those who work in the legal sector here in Falkirk. This is something I’ve raised with Michael Matheson in the past as legal aid plays an important role in our justice system and it cannot be right that people in Falkirk are put a disadvantage under the new rules.
“I welcome the fact that the Scottish Government are working with the Law Society and the Scottish Legal Aid Board to address the concerns raised by those in the sector, but it was disappointing that Mr Wheelhouse was not able to give me a clear timeframe as to when this review will be carried out.
“I will continue to monitor this situation and work with all relevant parties to ensure that the legal aid system works for people in Falkirk.”
You can read Ms McMahon’s questions to Paul Wheelhouse MSP here.
You can read Ms McMahon’s letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Justice here.
Siobhan McMahon for Central Scotland 