SCOTLAND'S courts will be hit by lengthy delays and spiralling costs if controversial reforms to legal aid go ahead because lawyers will refuse to take on new cases and seek adjournments to sort out payments, it has been claimed.
Hundreds of defence solicitors are poised to take strike action over plans to make some suspects pay a financial contribution to their legal aid, which would be collected by solicitors.
Critics have warned it will turn lawyers into debt collectors and risk leaving those accused of crimes without representation if solicitors concerned about their ability to pay turn their cases down.
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