Angus solicitors’ U-turn on police station duty scheme an ‘embarassment’

Mike Ferrie, Dean of the Society of Procurators and Solicitors of Angus, said the boycott of the scheme “required total support and trust between Angus firms”.

However, since the new legislation came into force, two firms in the council have enlisted in the scheme, a decision Mr Ferrie said was “surprising and unexpected”.

The decision has prompted a U-turn from the remainder of criminal lawyers, who have now reapplied to the scheme.

Mr Ferrie said the move was “a huge disappointment and something of an embarrassment” as he questioned the “fragile resolve of certain of our local practitioners”.

The legislation gives anyone in police custody the right to legal advice, regardless of whether they have been charged or not.

Solicitors’ bodies across Scotland have boycotted the scheme in protest at the annual cuts to the legal aid budget, which they say will bring about an untenable workload.

Mr Ferrie said: “I have no desire to raise conjecture as to the reasons why this circumstance has arisen but I am afraid others may do so, especially practitioners from neighbouring faculties and societies who have withdrawn from the scheme and who will observe the situation in Angus with increasing interest and no little incredulity.

“For the avoidance of doubt, it firmly remains my view as Dean of the Society of Procurators and Solicitors of Angus that all of our criminal practitioners should still consider withdrawing from the scheme and I strongly urge them to do so.

“It is also important for me to point out that certain Angus practitioners I have spoken with are extremely unhappy at the prospect of now having to reapply for the scheme.”