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Legal Services Bill [HL]

Before the Minister sits down, her first argument was directed at the idea that it would be wrong to make access to justice an overarching principle. But this amendment does not do that; it only adds one particular consideration among others. It is an old device of an advocate who has nothing much to say to raise as their opponent’s argument an argument that is easy to demolish. This is not an overarching provision; it is one factor to be considered among a number of factors. Indeed, from what she said, the Minister seems to agree that it is an important factor. It seems to me that her stance supports the amendment.