Opposition to fixed fees for family law legal aid continues; High Court rejects appeal
Wed 05 Sep 2012
The High Court has rejected an appeal against the introduction of fixed fees for legal aid work. The decision may be appealed. 'High Court rejects ...
The High Court has rejected an appeal against the introduction of fixed fees for legal aid work. The decision may be appealed.
'High Court rejects legal aid fixed fees case', Radio NZ, 4/9/12
Last week, retiring Judge Andrew Tipping spoke out against the introduction of fixed fees, saying "The scope of legal aid and the rates of remuneration are now ... at a level that seriously risks compromising the delivery of justice, at least in some fields."
Justice Tipping commented, "The irony is that the money saved by not granting legal aid is very often overtaken by corresponding, if not greater, costs being incurred elsewhere. It is a false economy that we seem to be pursuing."
'Longest-serving judge hits out at legal aid', Stuff, 26/8/12
Fixed fees were introduced for family law in July 2012. Lawyers had warned this would result in an exodus of family lawyers from legal aid work, leading to a drop in lawyers available to provide legal aid in the family law area.
New Fees Framework for Family Legal Aid Providers (submission), New Zealand Law Society, 19/3/12