SEEKING YOUR VIEWS

Proposals for the Review of Summary Criminal Legal Assistance

PLEASE NOTE: THE PERIOD TO GIVE YOUR COMMENTS HAS NOW CLOSED

You can now read the consultation document and responses received

The Board has published our discussion paper on proposals for the review of summary criminal legal assistance. We invite you to comment on the report and its recommendations by 16 July 2004.

You can read or download in pdf format (you will need Adobe Reader to open these documents):

• cover letter explaining the background to the review
  
  
• Proposals for the review of summary criminal legal assistance
  
  
• Making your response - in pdf format or Microsoft Word format

Information about the Scottish Executive's consultation is given below.

Making your response

We ask you to consider and comment on the views expressed in the paper. In it you will find facts and figures about the current summary criminal legal assistance scheme, how it works, who is involved and at what stage, how applications are made, decided and how members of the profession are paid for the work they undertake on behalf of their clients. We would ask you to consider and comment on the views which have been expressed taking into account the proposals flowing from the other current major reviews, such as that of Sheriff Principal John Cines.

In setting out your comments, you should respond to the specific proposals that are set out in Chapter 1, and also comment on other sections of the paper. We are seeking comments to our proposals by Friday 16 July 2004. If you cannot respond by this date please let us know.

You should complete the response form, to give information and to advise if that response is confidential. This will help ensure we handle responses appropriately. The response form also includes a summary of the recommendations to which we are seeking comments.

Written comments should be submitted by 16 July, confirming by whom the response is being made, to:

Review of summary criminal legal assistance
Communications Department
The Scottish Legal Aid Board
44 Drumsheugh Gardens
EDINBURGH EH3 7SW

Alternatively you can send your response by:
- Hays DX to: DX ED555250 Edinburgh 30
- Legal post to: LP2 Edinburgh 7

You can also fax your response to: 0131 220 4878
Or email: general@slab.org.uk

If you wish to request a printed copy of the report, contact the Board's Communications Department, direct tel 0131 240 1985 or email general@slab.org.uk

If you have any queries on the paper, contact: Kingsley Thomas, Manager of Criminal Applications, direct telephone 0131 240 2085 or email thomaski@slab.org.uk

We look forward to receiving your comments by 16 July 2004.

Scottish Executive consultation

Information about the Consultation on the Report of the Summary Justice Review Committee is available on the Scottish Executive's website, and contact details are shown below.

The Summary Justice Review Committee's report was published on 16 March 2004. It addresses and makes recommendations on a number of significant issues, including the structure of the summary justice system and the procedures to be followed in the summary courts. Before the Executive decides what action to take on the recommendations contained in the report it is holding a period of consultation to obtain the views of organisations and individuals with an involvement or interest in the criminal justice system, as well as the public generally, on the proposals.

Contact: Summary Justice Review Secretariat
Address: Criminal Procedure Division Scottish Executive Justice Department Room 1W-R St Andrew's House Regent Road Edinburgh, EH1 3DG
Email: summaryjusticereview@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Telephone: 01312442222