AGFS Consultation Response

25 Bedford Row have provided a detailed and balanced response to the MoJ consultation on 'Reforming the Advocates' Graduated Fee Scheme' which closed yesterday. We accept that the current AGFS Scheme can be improved upon. We agree that the principles of the new scheme, with its move away from PPE to better proxies for the work involved in different cases, is a step in the right direction. However, despite its improvements, the draft scheme is structurally flawed and underfunded. We  cannot give it our approval. Our response helpfully sets out the key areas where change is needed to make it more acceptable to those practising in legal aid defence.