New intitatives
The financial criteria for eligibility for legal aid
were changed recently to provide more access.
A programme of
reform to criminal legal aid has been
under way since 1998. The pilot Public Defence Solicitor's
Office running in Edinburgh from 1998 is now to be extended
to other areas in Scotland
A major programme of
reform to civil legal aid was announced in
February 2003. The reforms, which follow the
recommendations of the Parliament's Justice 1 Committee,
are the first significant changes since 1949, and will
produce 'a civil legal aid system fit for the 21
st century'. The reforms are intended to
streamline the legal aid system, improve access to justice,
ensure quality service for the client, increase the fees
paid for legal aid work, and deliver more efficient
administration. Further details are on
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/pages/news/2003/02/SEJD220.aspx
The Minister for Justice announced, at the joint Law
Society of Scotland and Scottish Legal Aid Board conference
on 24 October 2003, a
Strategic
Review of the delivery of legal aid, advice and
information.