Justice Secretary Michael Gove has today scrapped the fee levied on defendants pleading not guilty in criminal cases.   Around 100 magistrates had resigned in protest over the policy and in October the House of Lords voted 100 to 132 in favour of a motion of regret on the charges. Peers condemned them as “Ryanair Justice”.   Defendants under the rules, which were introduced in April this year, had to pay a flat fee of up to £1000 regardless of whether they could afford it or not. Campaigners argued that the charge was leading to innocent people pleading guilty to avoid the fee.   Lord Beecham, speaking in the Lords debate in October said the charges, “among the many dubious legacies bequeathed to Michael Gove by his predecessor as Lord Chancellor, Chris Grayling, ranks as one of the most misconceived.” LAG welcomes the Justice Secretary's decision, but calls on him to dismantle more of Grayling's legacy including the duty criminal tenders and the legal aid residence test. He should also review the domestic violence gateway rules and examine carefully the impact of the cuts to civil legal aid on access to justice