 |
 |
         |
 |
Initiatives The Board is running a number of exciting and innovative projects to assist develop the legal aid system. This section provides information to highlight these interesting developments:
PDSO, the Public Defence Solicitors' Office The Public Defence Solicitors' Office has been serving those in need of criminal legal assistance since 1998. It provides advice and legal representation in all criminal matters. It has a network of seven offices across Scotland. PDSO works alongside private sector criminal legal assistance solicitors. PDSO solicitors are apid an annual salary rather than paid on a case by case basis in the way private solicitors are. Read more about PDSO on their website.
Civil Legal Assistance Offices The commencement of Part V of the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986 allowed the Board to employ solicitors to give advice and assistance under the Act, to act for persons receiving legal aid, or to work with local organisations. In 2008, the Civil Legal Assistance Office - Highlands and Islands was opened for people in the Highlands and Islands who are having difficulties finding legal help or the services of a solicitor - read more. Civil Legal Assistance Office Aberdeen - more information Civil Legal Assistance Office Edinburgh - more information Grant funding - 2009-2011 - successful projects announced The Board has announced that 16 projects will share in excess of £2 million of Scottish Government funding, to enhance legal advice services for people affected by the economic downturn particularly those targeting issues such as repossession and debt - read more. In court advice projects The Scottish Government announced on 21 November 2008 that more help would be made available for families facing legal problems such as repossession as a result of the economic downturn. This announcement included a commitment to continued funding for current in-court advice projects in seven Sheriff Courts but proposed that the Scottish Legal Aid Board should assume responsibility for the funding of these projects, by way of its grant funding powers from 1st April 2009. The grant funding powers within Section 4A of the Legal Aid (Sc) Act require the Board to prepare plans to be approved by Scottish Ministers for the purpose of giving grants. Accordingly, the Board prepared a plan, submitted the plan, and had the plan approved in advance of the transfer of funding responsibility on 1st April 2009. The plan is set out below: The Scottish Legal Aid Board plans to make a series of grants from 1 April 2009. The criteria the Board plans to apply in making these grants are that: The grants relate to the provision of advice and, where appropriate, representation in the sheriff courts at:
The grants shall be made to the organisations which have, up until 31 March 2009, received grants for these purposes in these courts from the Scottish Government. These organisations are:
|
|
        |