Lawyers make 'over the top claims' to save legal aid, says Grayling

Justice Secretary Chris Grayling has accused lawyers over going into 'overdrive' in order to protect the 'unsustainable' legal aid system.

Justice Secretary Chris Grayling Wikimedia / Work and Pensions Office

Mr Grayling made the comments after Ministry of Justice figures yesterday revealed the earnings of law firms through the taxpayer-funded system – with one firm earning close to £15 million.
The Telegraph reports that Mr Grayling added that lawyers are making ‘over the top claims’ in order to quash plans to cut £220m from the annual criminal legal aid budget in England and Wales.

Demonstration

The legal aid figures showed that London solcititors Duncan Lewis raked in £14.63m in civil legal aid for 2011/12 while Tuckers brought in £8.27m.
Meanwhile, 20 barristers made more than £300,000 each from legal aid cases.
Balbir Singh, an immigration, human rights and corporate fraud barrister, earned £493,022 for criminal cases, while Paul Storey, who deals with family law and personal injury cases earned £428,192 for civil cases.
The figures were released as protesters staged a demonstration outside the Ministry of Justice.

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