Defence lawyers have vowed to oppose plans that would force them to pursue unpaid fees from impoverished clients despite new warnings that Scotland’s legal aid system is at breaking point.

The Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) published its annual report warning that reform of the system is urgently required because ministers are not providing enough funding to cover the legal aid bill. SNP ministers have proposed making good the deficit by forcing criminal accused with a disposable income of at least £68 per week to make a contribution towards their defence costs.

However, solicitors would be asked to collect the money from their clients in cases heard without a jury, instead of the current system whereby they receive the entire fee from SLAB. The Glasgow and Edinburgh Bar Associations are threatening to retaliate with strike action, warning they will be left out of pocket if their clients refuse to pay. They claim they would be forced to act as unpaid debt collectors.....Read more here: Scottish defence lawyers threaten strike over 'debt collector' plans