Younger barristers won't take on cases because they're trying to clear 50k+ of debt and older barristers won't take cases because they have more financial responsibilities like kids... Who suffers? The people using the services who have to navigate the whole sorry mess blind.. well done!

Charley Hasted, Stoke on Trent, UK

And that is the point, we are dealing with people or at least one person who cannot sort out their own problems. Without barristers and others of the legal profession the victims of abuse will be all the more open to the bullying tactics of the other party. The law evens things up.

Keith, Cardiff, Uk

May I please be assured that this decision to cut back on Barristers and legal advisors for Family Court hearings have nothing to do with the fact that Coram in conjunction with Cafcass will be providing their own legal Servies for such cases?
In essence covering every eventuality.

xx Husky xx

Husky , Fife, Scotland

Save £12M over two years in family court cases? Is this not being penny wise pound foolish? Mr Brown throws £2.7B to remedy his government’s miscalculation but is reluctant to pay towards a fair justice system. Everyone deserves fair representation!

Fred Mehta, Chandlers Ford, UK

Shouldn't the LSC be audtitted for waste?

BJ, London, England

I am a trainee barrister. The training process has taken 5 years & cost £50k (all of which is on loan). I don't see many other careers that require so much personal/financial risk, so if the Government want to refund me my training costs I might be able to accept these legal aid cuts less bitterly.

KK, London, England

If the legal profession was not so convoluted for the lay person we would not need theses "experts" at the cost the charge. Making 140k per annum for part of your work out of the misery of family disputes is obscene when other workers, teachers, nurses, police are not paid "what they are worth"

alton jarman, Stafford, Uk

I agree that the main point here is that the fees come from legal aid, the point is that fees are still too high relative other European countries.

Frankly I don't see why taxpayers should pay a premium rate for a mediocre service. By the way, I have decided not to be your mate.

nicholas brown, Oxford,

Nicholas, the problem is that "people" do not pay the fees. Its legal aid thats the issue. If you want to have a quality lawyer mate, someones got to pay. Their pay comes our taxs and preserves our rights, so less negativity and more support as this may seriously effect you one day.

tom, london,

it is depressing that the non productive professions are so well paid.

People should settle matters themselves without having the legal profession goading them into paying fees that could be better spent elsewhere

nicholas brown, Oxford,

We should understand the market value of a family barrister. They are (by and large) academically brilliant, determined, talented and working at least 12 hours a day 7 days a week. By a fair hourly rate that, should be about £140,000 a year so pay them what they are due, and more importantly, Worth.

lmr, london,

When (and hopefully never) the critics face proceedings in Family, Criminal or Repossession proceedings, I am sure they will want, and expect the best people available to defend them and allocate due time and care to their case. I do not see the problem with paying a fair market rate of £140k.

liam ryan, london,

1. Few family barristers earn £140,000
2. The LSC have been paying fees late for the last year anyway, regardless of barristers earnings. There are many barristers that are already in serious financial difficulties because they are taxed on their earnings which have not been paid.

Steve, London,

1) Lawyers 'own all the big buildings' because they have merged with each other, not because they are suddenly earning much more.
2) Why should repeat offenders not get legal aid?? Just because someone has committed crimes before, doesn't mean that they have committed THIS one.

Paul, Cambridge, UK

I remember when a lawyers used to have a couple of offices in a building, or ran from a small house. But thanks to that big fat cash cow called legal aid, they own all the big buildings in the centre of towns. Lastly, why should 'repeat, criminal offenders get legal aid?

David, Perth, Western Australia

The whole system should simply be shut down. People should sort out their own family problems, without the state handing out bits of paper saying couples are divorced.

Malcolm McLean, Bradford, UK