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The quiet crisis threatening our faith in "justice for all"

Edinburgh criminal lawyer Keith Leishman

Keith Leishman sounds weary. A criminal lawyer, he’s one of a diminishing band of solicitors in Edinburgh prepared to take legal aid cases, a vital role in ensuring access to justice for all our citizens.

And he’s not just weary, he’s also feeling pessimistic, despite the long-running Scottish Government review of the legal aid system that has been ongoing for several years and which is scheduled to bring change over the coming months.

Fees that for decades have fallen in real terms, demand that constantly increases, including significant anti-social hours of working, and an ongoing large-scale exodus of younger professionals is leaving even greater pressure on older practitioners. Around a third intend to retire over the coming few years.

“It is difficult to feel hopeful. I have been a legal aid practitioner for 20 years and during that time it has only gotten worse. For young people coming into the profession it is not seen as offering a sustainable future.”

“Justice delayed is justice denied”