Leaving aside the important issue of
the contracts it is the appalling collapse in legal rates following that are
worrying more and more of us. These are not just the scheduled 17.5% 'across
the board' cut but in many cases far more severe cuts with, for example in my
own county of Kent, cuts in police station work of up to 34% in fees. Very few
businesses can survive such a disastrous reduction in income without severe
consequences for both the business and the public even with an increase in
volume for those who have 'won' duty contracts. This to be followed by further
cuts to Crown court fees in January. One could be forgiven for thinking that
the Government does not want people to be represented by viable quality firms.
