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<p>The Government is clear that there are sufficient solicitors to undertake criminal
legal aid-funded cases and will make sure this continues to be the case. The Legal
Aid Agency monitors duty solicitor coverage on an ongoing basis and where issues are
identified, takes action to ensure there is ongoing availability of criminal legal
advice for the public.</p><p> </p><p>The LAA recently ran a consultation with criminal
legal aid firms in the Borough of Sutton that includes the Carshalton and Wallington
constituency. The consultation was run to ensure on-going duty solicitor provision
in the Borough of Sutton in response to the decision by the Metropolitan Police that
detainees that would have been taken to Sutton police station will now be taken to
Bromley and Croydon police stations. As a result of the consultation, these detainees
will continue to be served by duty solicitors on the Sutton Duty Scheme when they
are taken to either Bromley or Croydon Police Station.</p><p> </p><p>The Government
has also commenced a review of all criminal legal aid fee schemes, including the criminal
duty solicitor fee scheme, which will report back by the end of Summer 2020.</p>
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