Bradford barristers and solicitors yesterday held silent vigils outside court as part of a national protest by lawyers against proposed Government changes to the legal aid system in the UK.

They say plans for Price Competitive Tendering (PCT) will reduce the quality of service to the public and hit society’s most vulnerable people.

The Ministry of Justice is trying to save £220 million and it is claimed the number of law firms carrying out legally-aided criminal work will be slashed from 1,600 to 400 nationally, resulting in hundreds of solicitors’ firms closing with thousands of employees losing their jobs, and the public having no choice in who represents them.

A consultation period ended yesterday, marked by dozens of solicitors and barristers holding a minute’s silence outside Bradford Crown Court and Bradford and Keighley Magistrates’ Court.

Giles Bridge, on behalf of criminal law barristers at Broadway House chambers in Bradford, said 20 to 25 criminal barristers and solicitor advocates, in gowns and wigs, took part in the protest outside Bradford Crown Court, before the courts began sitting.

Mr Bridge said: “We did not want to cause disruption to the courts. We were trying to make the point that, if the proposals come in, a lot of people will be without good representation when they are in court and won’t have anyone to speak up for them.

“People will not be able to choose their own solicitor. Very often the most vulnerable people, who have counsel and solicitors they know well and can trust, making the legal process much easier for them, won’t be in a position to be represented by them.”

Mr Bridge said people entering the court building had supported them.

Solicitor Alan Petherbridge, who was part of the silent protest outside Bradford and Keighley Magistrates’ Court, said more than 30 people had taken part.

He said: “Court business wasn’t disrupted, but it was well supported and staff from the court’s offices also showed their support.

“We wanted to mark the consultation with a show of unity. We are trying to be constructive, and the Law Society is trying to put together an alternative.”

Another Bradford solicitor, who did not want to be named, said: “Citizens were given six weeks to reply to a document that could destroy access to justice, and even justice itself in this country.

“These proposals would reduce the scope of legal aid for most working families and remove any client choice.

“The minute's silence was symbolic, marking the end of a remarkably short consultation period which may mark the beginning of the end of one of the finest legal systems in the world.”

e-mail: steve.wright@telegraphandargus.co.uk