Trust, choice and money: Why the legal aid reform "u-turn" is essential for effective criminal defence

Smith, Thomas

Abstract

This short article discusses the importance of trust in workable relationships between criminal defence lawyers and their clients, arguing that it was essential to abandon the proposed removal of client choice for criminal legal aid clients in order to preserve effective defence services. It also examines the conflict of interest presented by harmonised fees for trials and guilty pleas, the impact this could have on trust in the lawyer-client relationship, and the potential influence of remuneration on lawyer behaviour.

Citation

Smith, T. (2013). Trust, choice and money: Why the legal aid reform "u-turn" is essential for effective criminal defence. Criminal Law Review -London-, 11, 906-913

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 1, 2013
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2013
• Journal: Criminal Law Review
• Print ISSN: 0011-135X
• Publisher: Sweet and Maxwell
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 11
• Pages: 906-913
• Keywords: criminal lawyers, legal aid, legal aid reform, price competitive tendering, criminal defence, confidentiality, police station advice
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/940365
• Publisher URL: https://login.westlaw.co.uk/maf/wluk/app/document?&suppsrguid=ia744d064000001554a0dce6b8eef8e14&docguid=IC0C86A102C8111E3BF16D7D46FA3C7BA&hitguid=I9390E8102B8C11E3942BA139C7F14AB8&rank=1&spos=1&epos=1&td=1&crumb-action=append&context=2&resolvein=true