Law society head attacks justice policy

THE LAW Society president, Rodger Pannone, yesterday attacked the Government's justice policies, accusing Lord Mackay, the Lord Chancellor, of crippling the 'once- proud' legal aid service.

He also condemned cuts in legal aid eligibility and compensation for victims of crime, the freezing of pay for legal aid solicitors and the 'fiasco' of the Child Support Act.

Mr Pannone, speaking to the Trainee Solicitors' Group as it lobbied Parliament over lack of grants for legal education, also ridiculed the Government's claims to be trying to establish a classless society when, by cutting eligibility for legal aid, access to justice was only available to the very rich and the very poor.

A spokesman for Lord Mackay said nearly half of households in England and Wales remained eligible for legal aid.