JEREMY CORBYN appointed former barrister and minister Lord Bach yesterday to head an immediate review into the Tories’ damaging cuts in legal aid over the last five years.

The Labour leader accused the government of launching an assault on fair access to justice, with “disastrous” effects on people who cannot afford lawyers and court fees.

Mr Corbyn said: “This has resulted in many of our fellow citizens, often the poor and marginalised, not being able to get advice or representation when they are faced with legal problems such as housing, welfare benefits, debt and employment.”

Many vital advice services including law centres have had to close due to funding cuts.

Mr Corbyn added that this spelled disaster for those at threat of home repossession, workers fighting mistreatment, victims of negligence and defendants in criminal court cases.

Lord Bach is expected to examine the dire social consequences of legal aid cuts with a vview to proposing alternative policies.

He said: “Access to legal help and representation is a cornerstone of the rule of law and the mark of a decent society.

“But the government’s reforms have left too many people unable to enforce their rights.”

The Legal Aid Group (LAG) — which campaigns for fair access to justice — “warmly welcomes” the announcement.

The review is bound to “expose crisis points within the system,” especially of domestic violence cases that will “call on the government to react immediately,” LAG director Steve Hynes told the Star.

Mr Hynes added: “Mr Corbyn is very close to this issue and has very good links to legal aid groups.

“We just hope that this review leads somewhere as it’s meaningless unless something is done.”

The Tories are proposing to increase divorce claim fees from £270 to £550.

Law Society president Jonathan Smithers said: “It’s wrong in principle for the courts to make a profit for government.”

Former criminal barrister and Labour shadow solicitor general Karl Turner MP said: “It is up to Labour to make sure that we take the fight to the Tories and make sure that access to justice is made available to all, not just the well-off.”