Following Lord Justice Jackson's speech to Cambridge University today Des Hudson, CEO of the Law Society responded:
“We welcome Lord Justice Jackson's comments today where he reiterated his opposition in principle to the government's cuts to legal aid. His support for the Society's concerns about clinical negligence are also welcome. We also note his opposition to the continuation of the payment of referral fees, where once again we agree with him.
'However, there are some of his remarks with which we strongly disagree.
The Society's opposition to the Jackson proposals are not driven by the interests of a group of lawyers but about claimants who have suffered injury and, under these proposals, may lose the ability to gain compensation.
'Our position in this respect is clear. The availability of legal aid and the Jackson proposals are inextricably linked.
'We agree that there are problems with the current costs regime but the proposals in the Jackson Report which the government has adopted will reduce access to justice for ordinary citizens to the advantage of Insurers and business and we cannot keep quiet about that.
'This is matter of important public policy debate and we will continue to make these points vigorously - and without fear or favour”
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Journalists, please contact Rebecca Kiernan at the Law Society press office on 020 7316 5592