Legal Aid ‘Hammer Blow’ For High Streets

Government proposals to slash the number of firms offering legal aid in North Wales from 29 to four will be a hammer blow for North Wales’ high streets says local MP Ian Lucas.

Mr Lucas questioned the Ministry of Justice (Hansard here) to find out how many firms currently offer legal aid in North Wales. Answers show that there are 29 firms currently serving North Wales – and seven firms serving the Wrexham area.

Under proposals currently out to consultation, the Government would reduce the number of firms in the whole of North Wales to just four. Solicitors across the country have raised objections to the plans, and Mr Lucas has met a number of Wrexham firms who would be severely affected by the plans.

He said “These proposals will be a hammer blow to the high street in North Wales. Wrexham has a number of small legal firms who provide legal aid who would be very hard hit if the Government forces this plan through.”

“There are seven firms serving Wrexham at the moment. Under Government plans, there would be four firms covering from Holyhead to Lavister.”

“It is simple common sense to see that community connections and local knowledge will be lost under these proposals – and that we will see a number of small firms simply go out of business thanks to the Government.”