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Legal aid changes under fire Lawyers say the changes could be a cowboys' charter A government shake-up which means some people will no longer get legal aid is being criticised within hours of coming into effect. The aim of the scheme, the Community Legal Service Fund, is to make sure that solicitors, advice centres and local authorities work together and provide a guaranteed level of service. But the changes also mean that people wishing to sue for compensation after an accident will no longer be able to get legal aid. Instead, they will have to find solicitors to represent them on a "no win, no fee" basis.  The abolition of legal aid in personal injury cases could be a charter for negligent bosses, careless drivers and cowboy traders Law Society President "It is a great shame that the government has abolished legal aid for personal injury victims, ignoring the concerns of the consumer, advice and legal groups," said Law Society president Robert Sayer. "Conditional fee agreements are no replacement for legal aid. "Only those people with simple and straightforward cases can expect to receive help. "The abolition of legal aid in personal injury cases could be a charter for negligent bosses, careless drivers and cowboy traders." The Law Society is also warning the government not to underfund the new service. Lord Irvine: Quality will improve "It will only work if adequate resources are devoted to it," said Mr Sayer. "The Community Legal Service cannot rely solely on the goodwill of already hard-pressed legal aid lawyers and advice workers." The changes will also mean only 5,000 legal firms, and some advice centres, will be able to handle legal aid cases. That compares to about 11,000 under the old system. The Lord Chancellor, Lord Irvine, has acknowledged that the changes will halve the number of solicitors involved, but he insists the quality will improve.  The reduction is from 11,000 to 5,000. But the important difference is that they will all be quality assured Lord Chancellor The reduction is from 11,000 to 5,000. But the important difference is that they will all be quality assured," he told the BBC. "The vice of the old legal aid system is that you could walk into any solicitors' practice anywhere in the country with any problem and if you qualified for legal aid the solicitor could take it forward from beginning to end, even if he lacked the skill and experience for it." The scheme is being launched by Cherie Booth, the prime minister's wife and a leading lawyer. The government insists the changes are aimed at improving the system, not at cutting costs.

Search BBC News Online Advanced search options BBC RADIO NEWS BBC ONE TV NEWS WORLD NEWS SUMMARY BBC NEWS 24 BULLETIN PROGRAMMES GUIDE See also: 25 Apr 99 | UK Politics Law Society slams legal aid reforms 17 Feb 99 | UK Politics Irvine under fire over 'gimmick' jibe 28 Apr 98 | UK Lawyers defend legal aid millions 04 Mar 98 | UK Legal aid reform unveiled 22 Jan 98 | UK Barristers oppose legal aid reform 19 Oct 99 | Guide to the UK Government Lord Chancellor's Department Internet links: Lord Chancellor's Department Law Society Legal Aid Board The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Links to other UK Politics stories are at the foot of the page.