Thank you for contacting me about duty solicitors and legal aid.
I understand that the Legal Aid Agency (LAA) keeps market capacity, including the number of duty solicitors on each local duty scheme, under constant review, to ensure that there is adequate provision of legal aid throughout England and Wales. I am aware that the LAA is satisfied that there continues to be sufficient duty solicitor coverage across all duty schemes in England and Wales, and it moves quickly where issues arise to secure additional provision and ensure continuity of legal aid services. Provision under the duty scheme is demand led, so there may be variations in numbers across each local rota, or other fluctuations in numbers.
I am aware that a new contract for criminal legal aid contracts was introduced last year and since then there has been an increase in duty solicitors and firms taking on legal aid. Further, the Government is committed to providing the necessary funding for legal aid. The Government is spending an extra £4 million on Section 28 fees, a further £10 million on housing legal aid as well as an extra £5.6 million on special guardianship legal aid. Further, I can assure you that in terms of representation across the UK, the LAA regularly ensures that all areas of the UK are covered by duty solicitors and legal aid firms.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.