The Law Society has called on law firms to lobby MPs over the impact of the government’s proposed legal aid overhaul, in the first stage in its campaign to fight the cuts.

Chancery Lane has warned that the plans outlined in last week’s consultation to reduce the funding and scope of legal aid will have a devastating impact on access to justice, leaving only the ‘poorest of the poor’ eligible for public funding.

The Society has published a briefing pack to help firms educate local MPs and media on the effect of changes that would see nearly 550,000 cases denied eligibility and 10% across-the-board cuts to lawyers’ fees.

As well as arranging meetings with constituency MPs, the pack advises practitioners to seek the support of their local authorities and councillors.

At a national level, the Law Society will be running an active campaign to lobby parliament and the government to reconsider many of the proposals set out in the Green Papers.

Richard Miller, the Law Society’s head of legal aid policy, said: ‘The only way to get an effective national lobbying campaign is to have the grass roots work going on as well.

‘Solicitors lobbying their MPs and local media is an essential first step in seeking to persuade the government to take a different path,’ he added.

Visit the Law Society website for the briefing pack and further information.