Stephanie Clinkscale

Solicitor Advocate

[Stephanie Clinkscale @StephClink]

Completely agree. Lawyers must never be complicit in unfairness, or injustice. I will not be accepting instructions in any judge-only trials. I call upon all my colleagues to do the same.

[Matthew McGovern @mcgovernlawyer]

My Firm will not be accepting instructions in any case that forms part of this pilot. No client of @mcgovernreid will be ever exploited as part of a social experiment to satisfy the demands of the Special Interest Groups. This pilot is not in the interests of justice.

[Stephanie Clinkscale @StephClink]

@bentcoppper @KeithBrownSNP @ScotGovJustice @jamiegreeneUK @LiamKerrMSP If the crime alleged is one where the Accused is prohibited from representing themselves, there can be no trial.

[Stephanie Clinkscale @StephClink]

BROKEN

There are now just 357 criminal solicitors in private practice offering duty services. Not firms. Not offices. 357 individuals - in the whole of Scotland.

Well done @KeithBrownSNP @ScotGovJustice

@jamiegreeneUK @LiamKerrMSP

[Stephanie Clinkscale @StephClink]

Have read the latest letter to the @Lawscot President from @ScotGovJustice and cannot believe it. Yet another new low for the government on Legal Aid - if that were possible.

When are we going to learn?

@KeithBrownSNP @jamiegreeneUK

[Stephanie Clinkscale @StephClink]

Why should all of us pay £1,000s a year to service the justice system for nothing in return?

Time for real leadership @EdinBarAssoc @GlasgowBarAssoc @scotscrimbar

[Stephanie Clinkscale @StephClink]

Completely agree. @Lawscot sitting back and watching the decimation is no longer acceptable. It seems pretty clear they’re even now going to recommend that we accept these awful reform proposals which the profession has consistently rejected since 2017.

[Brian Lanigan @BrianLanigan11]

@StephClink @AshtenRegan @KeithBrownSNP Fed up banging the drum! Time for a walk-out and for the Law Soc to grow a pair. We have messed about with below inflationary awards (on the few occasions they have been made) and this is the result. We are so supine we deserve all we and the public get!

[Stephanie Clinkscale @StephClink]

Surely time for us to refuse instructions in all domestic/sex cases, and for @Lawscot to use its vast capital reserves to set up a hardship fund in the meantime. That’s what our colleagues @TheCriminalBar have done and what @FacultyScot would do as well.

[Stephanie Clinkscale @StephClink]

BREAKING POINT

The number of solicitors providing criminal legal assistance in Scotland has now dropped below 1,000 for the first time since records began and the rate of departure has accelerated massively over the last year.

Well done @AshtenRegan @KeithBrownSNP

[Monidipa Fouzder @MonidipaFouzder]

So powerful to see several junior barristers step forward this week to speak out about the harsh reality of being a criminal legal aid lawyer. Their voices must be heard. New piece from me:
https://t.co/ytqCJ5DVu1

[Stephanie Clinkscale @StephClink]

Another loss to criminal defence. Good luck for the future, @lawisnowblonde

[Lyndsey Barber @lawisnowblonde]

My video on leaving criminal.
Posted before i thought about it too much,

https://t.co/e8jm4vmPp4 via @YouTube

[Stephanie Clinkscale @StephClink]

Yet another nail in the coffin for legal aid with @_KateForbes’ spending review yesterday. Further real terms cut of 20%.

Time to decline instructions in sex cases?

@ScotGovJustice @jamiegreeneUK
@LiamKerrMSP

[Stephanie Clinkscale @StephClink]

I’ll help the Minister out: even if @scotgov increased current fee rates by 50%, they would still represent a 16.25% reduction from when the fixed fee was first set, allowing for inflation. She just doesn’t get it.

[Liam Kerr @LiamKerrMSP]

When considering funding of legal aid, it is important that Ministers have a good grasp of finances & what the figures they are reading out actually mean. Following @jamiegreeneUK's incisive questioning, I pressed my button to see whether the Minister could help.

[Edinburgh Bar Assoc. @EdinBarAssoc]

Very proud of our members taking part in a demonstration of our dissatisfaction at the conduct of @SCTScourtstribs this past weekend.

[Glasgow Bar Association @GlasgowBarAssoc]

Criminal defence solicitors from the Scottish Borders – Holiday Custody Court update https://t.co/CvSKnqeqkF

[Glasgow Bar Association @GlasgowBarAssoc]

GBA Members decline to attend holiday custody courts with immediate effect – Glasgow Bar Association https://t.co/1tNHFIcarF

[Stephanie Clinkscale @StephClink]

@H_Baxter96 Well done Hannah, that’s fantastic!

[Stephanie Clinkscale @StephClink]

@H_Baxter96 Well done Hannah! First appearance out the way, great news

[Scottish Legal News @ScottishLegal]

#GownsDown: Defence lawyers’ boycott goes ahead after talks with Yousaf fail https://t.co/rGckSSFxrQ