Andrew Stevenson

The fund provides assistance to solicitors qualified in Scotland, or their dependents, who are in need of financial assistance and whose circumstances meet the criteria set by the trustees for the payment of grants.

Andrew Stevenson said the increase in demand should come as no surprise given the SLCC’s “wholly unreasonable levy increase”.

He added: “We have been struck in particular by how badly legal aid practitioners have been hit by this tax, particularly in light of the collapse in business this year due to the Covid lockdown.” 

Mr Stevenson said that while the Law Society of Scotland managed to negotiate a deferral for levy payments, “the time that was borrowed has now been spent”.

“Traditionally, we would most commonly be approached by solicitors or their dependents in necessitous circumstances due to ill-health, but the majority now are in dire financial straits due to the lockdown, indifference by the Scottish Legal Aid Board and the ever-increasing demands of the SLCC,” he said.

A majority of fund applicants have been young female solicitors.

“We have noticed how the profile of applicants has now shifted radically towards younger female solicitors, vulnerable to the downturn in work whilst being expected to meet the same or greater overheads. 

“Frequently, the unaffordability of the SLCC levy is specifically cited as why these claims are being made. It is deplorable how many single mothers are now being forced to ask us for assistance; these are the casualties of the SLCC’s inflated monetary demands.”

Fund application forms are available from scottishlawagentssociety@gmail.com or by writing to the The Secretary, Scottish Law Agents Society, 14, The Firs, Millholm Road, Cathcart, G44 3YB. Specific enquiries should be directed there also.