It currently sits at about 25% of the average hourly rate. The number registered to provide criminal legal assistance with the Scottish Legal Aid Board is at a historical low and the numbers are dropping by about 10% each year.
When Lord Bonomy completed an extensive review of the criminal justice system for the most serious crimes, he recognised there needed to be an immediate increase in funding for the defence. That was 2002.
The rates for High Court cases were wrong. The rate is £44.40, not £66, which has to support the solicitor, his staff and office overheads. In 2005, Scottish solicitors preparing the most serious cases such as terrorism, rape and murder were effectively on the same rates as in 1992. Unless we