PROPOSALS that could see public justice eroded in Tynedale have been blasted by the newly-elected president of Newcastle upon Tyne Law Society.

Lewis Pearson was elected president in March. He is director of Pearson Caulfield Limited law firm, established in Newcastle in 1984.

A criminal lawyer, Mr Pearson has been involved in campaigning against what he describes as the current erosion of legal aid entitlement.

Mr Pearson said a reduction in legal aid had severely restricted public access to justice and he hoped to keep the issue in the public eye during his tenure as president.

He said: “It is not only legal aid but the existence of courts themselves that have been threatened.

“Over the past few years a number of courts in the area have been removed including Hexham, Blaydon and Gosforth magistrates’ courts.

“In particular, people in Hexham, having been previously assured that they could benefit from good transport links to the Newcastle Magistrates’ Court where their cases would be heard, must be devastated to hear that, so far as new cases are concerned, proposals are afoot that will see Newcastle Magistrates’ cease to be a functioning venue.

“So far as the folks of Hexham are concerned, they now have a considerable transport problem and will have to travel to either North Shields or Bedlington magistrates courts – a result which flies against the concept of local justice.”

Alison Hall, from Hay and Kilner, is now the law society’s vice president and Chris Hugill, from Ward Hadaway, is deputy vice president.