Bar Council warns access to legal services 'must be preserved'

Legal services must remain accessible to all, according to one industry body's comment on Lord Young's Common Sense, Common Safety report.

The Bar Council represents personal injury solicitors, many of whom may be concerned the review - which fulfilled expectations in its attack on no-win-no-fee lawyers - will harm the ability of individuals to obtain help when involved in an accident that was not their fault.

Welcoming certain aspects of the investigation, the organisation warned: "If availability of legal aid is to be reduced, then the Government has to be mindful to preserve other means of accessing the justice system."

Group representative Michael Todd QC argued the "real issues" at stake are how to offer legal services at "proportionate" cost, allowing individuals to claim without placing a excessive financial burden on the party found to be in the wrong.

Legal Week notes in particular, those needing help from personal injury solicitors may be at risk of difficulties when it comes to claiming, as criticism has been levied at the current system of referral fees.