The quality of legal help available could suffer if proposed shake-ups to the legal aid system are approved, it is feared.

A Government-backed review of the system by Lord Carter could mean public defence lawyers are no longer paid by the hour and instead firms tender for contacts.

But many smaller firms fear they will not have sufficient funds or manpower. And the Law Society claims that more than 800 small firms nationwide could be lost.

Alan Petherbridge, senior partner with A Petherbridge & T Hussain Solicitors, in Piece Hall Yard, Bradford, agreed.

He said: "The Carter Review is very significant as it effectively means the only way lawyers will be able to make any money is through sheer volume of work. Inevitably the quality is going to suffer. We could also see bigger firms luring staff away from smaller firms with promises of higher pay."

Mohammed Ayub, senior partner with Bradford legal firm Chambers, said: "Clearly some firms are not going to be in a position to compete effectively."

Sue Williscroft, senior partner and founder of Williscroft and Co on Peckover Street, said: "The legal aid budget for criminal cases is running out of control but with 600 new offences it is inevitable it would rise.

"To have a flat rate is not practical. A case involving someone in a straightforward dispute, who is in good health and speaks English, is going to involve a lot less work then someone who does not speak English, is mentally ill, has been accused of a serious matters and is involved in more than one kind of dispute. A lot of firms in Bradford are not ready for these kinds of changes."

She said criminal lawyers from small firms, who were passionately devoted to their jobs, had often been the ones to challenge serious miscarriages of justice and these firms were the most under threat.

Desmond Hudson, chief executive of the Law Society, said: "Solicitors go into legal work with a commitment to public service, but that commitment must not be exploited.

"Without reasonable and fair fee levels many will be driven out of legal aid work or out of the law altogether. The most vulnerable people in society will end up paying the price."

e-mail: mark.casci@bradford.newsquest.co.uk