Frazer Barton: Law Society President on the proposed changes to the legal aid system

The legal aid system could be getting a shake up as the Government hints towards reviewing the scheme to ensure victims’ justice is a priority.  

Minister Paul Goldsmith has claimed the system is under pressure, with an increase in the volume of court cases, expenses for third party and specialist reports - and changes to eligibility in recent years.  

 Law Society President Frazer Barton says the process has become much more costly - and cases have grown more and more complex.

"We've got these problems in all of the areas - criminal, family and so on. So we desperately need this and I'll welcome it."

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sunday Session podcast with Francesca Ruggan
from News Talks.

Speaker 2 (00:11):
Edb as I mentioned before the legal lid system could
be getting a shake up, as the Justice Minister Paul
Goldsmith has said that the government's going to review the scheme.
Joining me now is Fraser Barton, the President of the
Law Society. Hi Fraser, good morning, good morning, Nice to
have you with us. Sorry about that technical pick up there.
Could you tell me why are we doing this? Is

(00:32):
the system not working, are people not getting the appropriate representation,
or is it costing too much or all of the above?

Speaker 3 (00:39):
All of the above. Look, the systems on its last
legs have been problems growing over the last twenty or
so years. We've really welcomed this. Its very timely. Our
commended Minister for his initiative. Our system owned their works
where everyone has equal access to justice and when that

(01:03):
doesn't happen, where you start having some major problems now society.
So it's and it has become more costly picking up
that point that they're working on this backlogs that they're
trying to address at the moment, and cases are just
getting more and more complex with documents and existence, you

(01:24):
have electronic discovery, and we've got these problems in all
areas of criminal, family and civil. So it is we
desperately need this and as I say, I'll welcome it.

Speaker 2 (01:34):
So is it broader than just looking at legal aid
in a way?

Speaker 3 (01:39):
Well, yes, there's there's a number of issues there, but
at the moment, the problems with the legal aid structure
and what we really want is a sustainable and fair
legal aid system that ensures any everyone who needs a
lawyer can access one and that the lawyers are paid
fairly in the circumstances.

Speaker 2 (02:00):
So if you were going to look at the system
now Fraser and say, right, this is what we need
to change, and that's what we need to change, what
would you say, Yes, what do you want to see happen?

Speaker 3 (02:08):
Okay, look, there is going to be the need for
more money. But what we've got is some of the
processes in terms of administration are very time consuming and
quite costly. So there's efficiencies needed. So we do need
to look at that. We need to be training the
next generation of lawyers. We're missing a generation because people

(02:29):
have been falling out of this area for the last
twenty years and it's an aging and diminishing workforce, and
we've got some we're facing some major problems if this
isn't addressed soon, and that's why I welcome this review
by a minister.

Speaker 2 (02:43):
Well fascinating. Thank you very much, Fraser, appreciate your time
this morning. That was Fraser Barton, President of the Law Society.

Speaker 1 (02:50):
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