Development and pilot activity to develop a national
framework for legal information and advice
Provision of legal information and advice (in particular
on matters of social welfare law) in Scotland has developed
"organically" over the years as a result of local
initiatives of providers in the public, private or
voluntary sectors. The level and quality of provision are
variable and there is an acknowledged need for better
co-ordination of services, better use of available
resources and better delivery of services, based on
assessment of need. Following a report by a
Working Group in
2001, a series of measures are under way to develop a
national framework for legal information and advice. This
work has three strands:
- A programme of research
- Need and supply mapping, both locally and
nationally
- The establishment of pilot partnerships based in
different geographic areas in Scotland