Law Society has ‘duty’ to tell solicitors to shun underpaid work, says president

Incoming leader Lubna Shuja says some criminal work is unsustainable, amid calls for a 15% pay rise

The new president of the Law Society has said the association has a duty to tell solicitors in England and Wales to refuse criminal work if they are not paid properly for it, as they demand a 15% increase in legal aid fees to give them parity with barristers.

Lubna Shuja has taken on the role amid anger that criminal solicitors have been offered a 9% rise, despite having gone 25 years without a pay increase and a 15% minimum rise having been recommended by the independent review of criminal legal aid.