The government's changes to criminal legal aid are a 'massive gamble' that will have grave consequences for the whole justice system, the Law Society and prominent lawyers have warned as the first tranche of cuts for solicitors takes effect.

The initial 8.75% of the 17.5% fee cuts for police station and magistrates court work was introduced today, after solicitors voted to stage two more 'days of action' on 31 March and 1 April.Speaking at the Society's legal aid conference this morning, Richard Atkinson, chair of the criminal law committee, said the 'massive' fee cuts coupled with the market restructuring are 'akin to betting on a rank outsider in the Grand National'.