Lawyers take lord chancellor to high court over legal aid

Challenge accuses Alex Chalk of failure to raise rates, reducing access in immigration and asylum cases

The lord chancellor is being taken to the high court over claims that legal aid fees are so low they are preventing lawyers from providing representation for thousands of people who are eligible for it.

The challenge focuses on access to legal aid for immigration and asylum lawyers. It is being brought by Duncan Lewis solicitors, one of the largest providers of civil legal aid in this area.