LIVERPOOL lawyers last night swung their support behind a new campaign against savage cuts to legal aid.

They spoke out after the Law Society launched a bid to fight Government plans to slash £350m from the budget.

The proposed cuts will affect claimants in areas including medical negligence and family issues such as divorce.

The society said it was taking a stand with its Sound Off For Justice campaign because the most deserving cases will not have access to legal aid.

It fears the reforms will mean around 500,000 people facing legal issues will find themselves unrepresented and “silenced in court”.

Law Society president Linda Lee said: “We believe what is currently on the table is just another example of panic-stricken cuts.

“We believe these cuts are ill-conceived and unfair and the Government risks doing long-lasting damage to justice in this country.”

The Law Society is set to propose alternative cuts which will make the savings while also protecting the people’s “right to representation”.

Outlining his opposition to the cuts, Andrew Holroyd, who is managing partner of Liverpool’s biggest legal aid law firm, QualitySolicitors Jackson & Canter, said: “The package is a mixture of things. Some I would support but some are very damaging indeed.

“Welfare benefits and debt advice – taking advice away from these areas will be counter productive. Early intervention saves the Government money.

“If people cannot get advice at the right time, it is going to actually create a lot more homelessness and more children going into care.”