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Law Society urges Solicitors not to strike over Legal Aid cuts

The Law Society of Scotland has urged solicitors not to go ahead with a strike on Tuesday over a proposed cut in legal aid funding. The Glasgow Bar Association (GBA), which represents more than 400 lawyers in the city, will work to rule along with colleagues in Inverness, Aberdeen, Dumbarton, Falkirk and Kilmarnock.

The row centres over reforms to payments for legal aid lawyers, prompted by Justice Secretary Kenny McAskill who claimed the current system led to wastage of £4m a year. The GBA is due to meet Mr McAskill on Monday to discuss the situation.

The Law Society objected to a number of proposed reforms but has urged members to stay party to negotiations with the Scottish Government and the Scottish Legal Aid Board.

Last night, Ian Smart, vice president of the Law Society of Scotland, said: "It's very disappointing that the GBA has been encouraging solicitors of choice' not to appear in custody courts, although solicitors on duty will continue to do so on Tuesday, May 6.

Solicitors are protesting against a number of reforms, including one which would end payments for call-outs to police stations. They want no differentiation in payment between sheriff and district court work and no cut in the criminal legal aid budget.

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