Legal advice news: Expert comments on aftermath of government's bill

An expert on legal advice has added their thoughts to the government's release of its Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill.

Adam Wagner, a barrister who specialises in human rights, public law and medical law, wrote for the UK Human Rights Blog that the bill contains "a lot" of information.

He said that the most noteworthy sections of it that will have a long term impact on the justice system are the sections relating to litigation funding and legal aid.

The legal advice expert also said that the bill suggests that reforms should be made to the punishment and sentencing system.

"On the legal aid and litigation funding aspects of the bill, the Ministry of Justice has largely implemented its plans as advertised despite the widespread opposition within the legal community to the changes," he added.

Mr Wagner said that reactions to this have been negative.

Indeed, Jenny Beck, co-chair of the Legal Aid Practitioners Group, told the Hackney Citizen that the cuts could have a devastating impact on local residents.

Published by Hannah Carr