CUTS to legal aid have caused people facing extradition to be represented by lawyers who are "unskilled and inexperienced" in the field, advocates have warned.
The Faculty of Advocates said it believed changes to the money available to people involved in court cases had had a "major effect" on the specialist advice being given to people.
The body representing advocates was responding to a House of Lords select committee which is reviewing the law on extraditions.
Its submission said: "We are of the view that the major reduction in the availability of legal aid at both Sheriff Court and Appeal level in Scotland has had a major effect on the provision of specialist legal advice and representation to requested persons.
"We do not have any statistical evidence on the point. However, we are aware that the reduction in the number of cases where legal aid is made available for representation by counsel at first instance has resulted in cases being prepared and presented in the Sheriff Court by agents who are both unskilled and inexperienced in the field."
However, in its response, it also said that the UK's existing extradition law provides "just outcomes" in cases brought before the courts in Scotland.
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