Legal Aid Lass

Today, I represented an 11 year old who didn’t even know their DOB. Only offended when parent not fit to look after them. Only offended in a low level way including shoplifting food and causing damage to family home. Felt so surreal to be in an interview with a poor wee child

Missed a call from the DSCC. Called them straight back to accept the duty case. Left on hold for 40 minutes before being able to accept the case. Completely unacceptable @LegalAidAgency

Lord Pannick's aghast face during Boris Johnson's evidence to the inquiry today: #borisjohnson

Can't wait to mislead the Court next time I'm on my feet but then when I'm rightly pulled up on it, I'll just give a wink and a cheeky smile then say it was in 'good faith' instead of facing any repercussions... #borisjohnson #partygate

Our SQM auditor finished assessing us in a single morning and we passed with flying colours. The auditor said we should be extremely proud of what we have achieved and sung our praises. A small victory in the legal aid battle where everything feels against you as a new crime firm

My client's mum: what are you doing running about with knives? My client: cutting up coconuts My client's mum: 🙄 My client: getting ready for a zombie apocalypse?!

As I walked to Court for the 1st time after opening my firm, my headphones played Abba's 'Money Money Money' 'I work all night, I work all day to pay the bills I have to pay. Ain't it sad? And still there never seems to be a single penny left for me. That's too bad' SO SO APT

I am now back on twitter after a brief hiatus. I have set up my own criminal defence law firm in the meantime (in spite of the current tragedy in legal aid). Now I'm my own boss it makes me increasingly tempted to put my own actual name to this account... hmm. Advice welcomed!

It’s a relief to see that the criminal barrister strike is making some headway in the press today. Top story in the Guardian, 5th top story in the BBC, 11th top story in the Independent… even the 13th top story in the Daily Mail (albeit the latter’s comment section is a riot).

When I see the widely publicised and effective rail strikes, I feel dismayed that the criminal defence community are unable to muster a cross-party strike involving barristers, solicitors, paralegals, legal executives etc with decent meaningful enough action to influence change.

When will the government realise that wasting £98m on electronic tagging of offenders is the wrong priority when the entire criminal justice is on its knees through lack of funding? We need investment now in criminal legal aid just to survive and deliver the bare minimum.

Attention all criminal defence lawyers: what is the best case management system (especially for a new small start up firm?) Thanks in advance!

The inability of the @LegalAidAgency to merely acknowledge or reply to firms applying for contracts with an impending CRM12 deadline is absolutely shocking. The lack of communication is bordering on complete disdain for criminal defence firms. This is people’s livelihoods.

I know a firm who don’t pay their trainee solicitors for police station overtime. They are on call regularly and can’t use agents. The legal aid boss exploits their desperation to qualify. Will this type of practice end with a fee increase? Legal aid culture needs an overhaul too

I am a Higher Rights Advocate and there is not a chance in hell that I will be stepping in to assist the Crown Courts. I wish us solicitors were striking alongside the bar. I support the bar and I want a better justice system as well as more funding.

I represented a teenager for a section 18. During interview, the copper says ‘you could be looking at life imprisonment’. To say I interjected is an understatement. When challenged, the officer reiterated his view that it was a valid point. It’s not an American TV drama 🤦🏻‍♀️

Ah if only all of my work as a criminal defence lawyer was remunerated at Court appointed rates… *sighs* A girl can dream.

I did an assault case at Court today. It was charged by the police who wrote that the defendant ought to receive unpaid work and an alcohol tag. Absolutely inappropriate that they think they can make recommendations as to sentence! Needless to say the client got a fine…

Where’s the industrial action from the solicitors and solicitor advocates? We need to strike too. I’m fed up seeing barrister only action. 95% of criminal cases get dealt with in the Magistrates Court. Let’s take action. The government aren’t listening to us.

Can anyone explain why the police always arrest for assault occasioning ABH when it’s clearly an assault by beating?

As a criminal lawyer, when I heard that the Met had opted to investigate partygate, I naively presumed that it would be a thorough investigation involving the taking of witness statements and interviews under caution. What we have seen is an absolute farce and a total whitewash.