THE Law Society has warned that criminal defence lawyers could 'become extinct' in Worcestershire, with a leading city lawyer calling the issue a "ticking timebomb".

The professional body, which represents solicitors across England, says there is a looming crisis after unveiling data that shows 63 per cent of criminal law solicitors in the county are aged over 50-years-old, and there are no criminal law solicitors aged under 35.

The total number of criminal duty solicitors in Worcestershire is now just 41, and 26 of those are over the age of 50. In comparison, in the West Midlands, 42 per cent of the 332 duty solicitors are over the age of 50.

A person arrested on suspicion of wrongdoing has the right to ask for the local ‘duty solicitor’, who can provide legal advice free of charge. Duty solicitors are available 24 hours a day and are independent of the police.

The legal advice scheme was set up in the wake of a series of scandals in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when a significant number of convictions were overturned due to police misconduct against suspects. Duty solicitors protect suspects against inappropriate treatment, but also the police from false allegations of mistreatment.

Solicitor Mark Lister, who is a founder of the Worcester-based firm Lister Brady, said: "I've been a practising duty solicitor since the scheme came in.

"I've been warning about this for years - it is a ticking timebomb, the criminal justice system is not working.

"When they retire, no one is coming in to replace them.

"It is a combination of things, with young people put off by the workload, the 24 hour call out, and the fact legal fees have not gone up since 1999.

"Duty solicitors are so important. Cases can be lost at police stations simply by (unrepresented) defendants not knowing what to do, and missing things.

"The problem is now even if we had young people come in, they don't have the experience to take on serious cases."

Gerry Vahey, from Waldons Solicitors, said: "I do a lot of work in the West Midlands and it is less of a problem there.

"In Worcestershire most of the solicitors you see are over 50."

Law Society president Joe Egan added: "Criminal justice is at the heart of a democratic society and duty solicitors ensure a fundamental part of the justice system is upheld.

“Access to independent, expert legal advice is an important right which ensures fair access to justice. If a suspect cannot access free advice and representation, a fair trial would be jeopardised, and cases would collapse.

“The Law Society is calling on the government to take action."