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Ministers want law students to fill void left by cuts to legal aid

‘Community legal companions’ set to become substitute lawyers as legal aid is slashed

By Andrea Perry and Alex Varley-Winter | 11 December 2012

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Pic: FCO

No escape: Dominic Grieve

Many will go without legal advice and representation, and will be forced to navigate the justice system alone

Bar Council spokesman

Ministers are planning to use law students to help fill the gap left by cuts to legal aid in England and Wales. The idea is for the rookie briefs, called ‘community legal companions’ (CLCs), to advise people preparing to appear in court without a lawyer.

The Bar Council, which represents barristers, warned that the scheme “is not a solution.”

Dominic Grieve, attorney general, is on record as warning: “Legal aid cannot escape scrutiny at a time when we have a serious economic crisis.”

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