LEGAL aid services could change dramatically if a proposal to cut back on services is passed.

Lawyers gathered at Waltham Forest Magistrates Court to discuss the problems they fear could be caused and express their vigorous opposition.

The Government plans to save £35 million a year on legal aid, a growing service, by introducing price competitive tendering.

Law firms will be set against each other in a price war, and legal aid cases will only be given to those offering the best "value" service.

Rather than being paid by the hour, solicitors will receive an agreed fixed rate for legal aid cases.

Solicitors and lawyers have strongly objected to proposals in the consultation, Improving Value for Money, because they fear it will be just the opposite.

They say change will be detrimental to long-term firms trusted in the community as only a handful of firms offering the lowest rates would receive short-term contracts.

Clients will no longer be free to choose a representative and will not receive a fair fight in the justice system, say solicitors, because they will have less time to spend on legal aid cases and be forced to rely on basic information.

Harriet Benson, of Henscott Solicitors, Chingford Road, Walthamstow, said: "The way they are going about it will affect everyone, not just the solicitors but also the quality of service rendered to the public.

"If we don't bid as low as other people then we will be out of business, and people will be forced to take whoever is available.

"I'm worried about losing clients and the uncertainty of being in a profession where you don't know if you are going to be there the following day, which affects recruitment and investment."

A representative from one of London's foremost legal aid practices, Greg Powell, of Powell Spencer & Partners, spoke to local firms about the changes at the court meeting.

He said: "What will have been lost is very large numbers of community lawyers, and once it has been done it has been done forever.

"All of that diversity will be lost. I am trying to protect the integrity and balance in the system. It's our duty to fight for a fair system of criminal justice."

Robert Brown, executive officer for the London Criminal Courts Solicitors' Association, said: "This system will have a negative impact on the operation of the criminal justice service as a whole and should be vigorously opposed."