| Scottish Legal Aid Board welcomes consultation on civil
justice
Monday 18 May 1998
Scottish Legal Aid Board Chairman, Jean Couper, welcomed The Scottish
Executive consultation paper on the future of civil legal aid in Scotland,
published today by Henry McLeish.
Mrs Couper said, "Many of the proposals contained in the consultation
paper have been previously put forward by the Board and I believe they
offer a constructive and exciting way forward for civil legal aid in
Scotland. We are pleased the Government is taking a broad look at the
civil justice system and we hope the outcome will be a more flexible
system which provides appropriate services to a wide range of people
with a wide range of needs.
" As a Board, we have long pressed to change the existing legal aid legislation
to widen the scope of civil legal aid and ensure it adequately helps those most
in need. For example, we have proposed
- broadening the range of those who can provide legally aided advice
to include non-solicitor agencies such as Citizens Advice Bureaux
and other advice agencies
- creating new community law centres employing qualified solicitors
and advice workers to provide a comprehensive one-stop service
- encouraging more use of mediation and alternative dispute resolution
- developing an information system which directs the public to the
most appropriate legal advice for their problem
- extending the current Code of Practice and registration
for solicitors carrying out criminal legal assistance to
include those providing civil legal assistance to ensure
a quality service."
Scottish Legal Aid Board Chairman, Jean
Couper, continued, "We welcome the inclusion of all these
proposals in the consultation paper.
" We also support the consideration for new primary legislation
to give the Board a more strategic role in developing the legally
aided services available to the public.
" Our vision is the flexible provision of civil legal services
rather than just legal aid or advice and assistance. We will
respond comprehensively to this consultation paper and look
forward to working with the Government and others to provide
a civil justice system that meets the needs of the people of
Scotland."
Notes to editors
For further information please contact the Scottish Legal Aid
Board (0131 226 7061)
The Scottish Legal Aid Board is a non-departmental public body
which assesses legal aid applications and scrutinises and pays
accounts submitted by solicitors and advocates. It also provides
advice to the Secretary of State on legal aid matters.
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