Law Society shortlists two in Legal Aid battle

The Law Society has shortlisted two advertising agencies as part of a campaign against sections of the Access to Justice Bill.

The society will not reveal which agencies it has shortlisted but has confirmed the list is now closed. It is unclear how much of a role advertising will play.

The Access to Justice Bill, hailed as the biggest shake-up of the legal aid scheme for nearly 50 years, is on its way through Parliament at the moment.

The Law Society is opposed to parts of it, arguing it restricts the range of cases for which legal aid will be available.

Barbara Cahalane, the society’s director of communications, says: “We have a campaign on Access to Justice. We are considering the possibility of using advertising as one element of our campaign. No decisions have been made.”

Lawyers and the Law Society have come under heavy criticism from both the Lord Chancellor and the media.

Last year the society invited PR agencies to pitch for a project to improve the public perception of its members.