Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Law firm third biggest Scottish legal aid earner
A Lanarkshire-based law firm is the third biggest legal aid earner in Scotland.
Bruce the Lawyers was paid £1.4 million by the Scottish Legal Aid Board to defend clients on criminal charges during 2019-20.
It’s a move up the list for the firm which for the previous two years was ranked fourth.
Bruce the Lawyers has offices in Airdrie, Motherwell and Glasgow, with a team of solicitors covering sheriff court cases and solicitor- advocate Rhonda Anderson appearing in high court trials.
Managing director Diarmid Bruce said: “The figures show that, once again, we are the busiest legal aid firm specialising in criminal work in the west of Scotland.
“Of course, it’s a matter of opinion who the best firms are, but the annual figures show clearly who the busiest are.”
The board’s annual report reveals that spending in 201920 rose by £7.1 million to £130.8 million.
Chief executive Colin Lancaster said: “Legal aid makes a vital contribution to tackling inequalities in Scotland.
“It helps tens of thousands of often vulnerable people deal with a range of problems, including housing debt, mental health and family breakdown, as well as providing a defence against criminal charges.”
The welcome news for the firm comes after Diarmid Bruce unveiled his own brand of masks after court users were asked to use face coverings during lockdown.
Mr Bruce said: “Criminal lawyers have been on the frontline during the crisis as they continued to meet clients in custody at court and in prison.
“With courts opening up for more cases and clients returning for office appointments, sensible precautions like this [ face coverings] are being taken.
“My firm’s offices are big enough to allow for social distancing, but if clients feel more comfortable with staff wearing masks that’s what will happen.”