Paisley law firms earned £4million in legal aid charges
Busy briefs in Paisley raked in almost £4 million in legal aid fees last year, official figures show.
Eight firms based in the town racked up £3.623 million among them defending clients in proceedings at Paisley Sheriff Court, Glasgow Sheriff Court and the High Court in Glasgow, in addition to firing in appeals to beaks in Edinburgh, and in other matters.
The Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) report reveals Paisley firm McCusker, McElroy and Gallanagh, with offices at the town’s St James Street and at High Street, Johnstone, collected a cool £1,092,000 in fees, giving it the largest share of SLAB reimbursement to a legal outfit.
Paisley firm Tod Mitchell, based at Paisley Cross, claimed £619,000 in legal aid fees for work defending clients in the year 2017-18, affording the firm the second largest cut in SLAB claims
The Robert Kerr Partnership, based at the town’s Moss Street, collected £519,000 in legal aid fees in the past year, bringing it the third largest sum.
Paisley firm Hunter- Robertson, based at the town’s High Street, claimed £415,000 back from SLAB for work in defending clients.
While Renfrew Defence Lawyers, based at St James Street in the town, were reimbursed with £366,000 in fees for their legal work over the last year.
McGeehan and Co, also based at the town’s St James Street, were reimbursed with £264,000 from SLAB in their work for clients.
Firm McKinlay and Suttie, based at Cross Arthurlie Street, Barrhead, claimed £205,000 from SLAB in respect of work for clients.
Philip Rooney, based at Moss Street in the town, was reimbursed £143,000 in fees for his work in helping clients at court.
SLAB said the fees reflect the amounts paid to solicitors’ firms between April 1, 2017 and 31 March 2018.
The cash values have been to the nearest £1,000 and include electronic payments transferred to the firms’ bank accounts and cheques dated between those dates.
The Scottish Legal Aid Board’s annual report recently revealed the cost to the taxpayer of legal assistance in 2017-18 was £124.4m, down from £135.7m in the previous year.
However, lawyers defending Renfrewshire clients are getting a welcome boost in legal aid fees.
Solicitors and advocates providing people with advice and representation will receive a three per cent increase in payments.
The increase, to take effect from April, was also announced last month as part of Holyrood’s independent review of legal aid.