Working together to modernise legal aid

News Release Issued Jointly By the Law Society of Scotland and Scottish Legal Aid Board

For immediate release, 10am Friday 29 October 2004

Achieving change by working together to improve access to justice for people in Scotland are central to a joint conference on legal aid being held today (29 October 2004) by the Law Society of Scotland and the Scottish Legal Aid Board.

Over 200 lawyers are coming together in Edinburgh for the two day annual legal aid conference to consider a wide range of issues and to hear from distinguished speakers. Delegates will learn about the progress being made to review legal aid, to ensure that people have equal access to justice and to professional legal representation and advice.

Deputy Justice Minister Hugh Hen dry MSP will publish the Strategic Review of the delivery of legal aid, advice and information.

Caroline Flanagan, Vice President of the Society said:

"I am delighted that Hugh Henry MSP, the Deputy Justice Minister is joining us today to address the conference and talk with our members about the service which the Scottish Executive fund, the Scottish Legal Aid Board administer and solicitors deliver. The strategic review announced published today provides another look at legal aid and the Society's Legal Aid Committee will review it with interest. Whilst The recommendations of the review does not have proposals for change at this stage, it may have may give rise to useful suggestions and ideas which can be brought forward to improve the Scottish legal aid system.

Jean Couper, Chairman of the Scottish Legal Aid Board said:

"The Board is committed to improving and developing legal aid for people in Scotland. We welcome very much publication of this Review of legal aid, advice and information. It has been a substantial piece of work, and will help inform thinking on modernisation of legal aid, advice and information."

"Last year in conjunction with the Law Society of Scotland and the Scottish Executive we successfully implemented the most significant reform of civil legal aid in 50 years. In 2005 we expect to see further reforms to solemn criminal legal aid and civil advice and assistance. These will only be delivered by the Board working in partnership with the Society and Executive and we are committed to doing so."

Caroline Flanagan added:

"Lawyers doing legal aid work in our civil and criminal courts do a tremendous job in communities across Scotland, ensuring that people who cannot pay for legal advice can have the advice and representation of a qualified, experienced solicitor. This type of work, is where the essence of the law in a democratic society lies. Equal access to justice and the representation of a qualified, professional lawyer ensures that our justice system works and that the various policies of government are implemented whilst people's rights are protected."

"That is why the work of the Tripartite Group is so important in reviewing and reforming legal aid to ensure an effective, efficient, professional system. It is only through the Scottish Executive, the Scottish Legal Aid Board and The Law Society of Scotland working together that those aims can be met and a quality system delivered for Scotland."

Reflecting on the importance of the joint conference, Ian Smart, Convener of the Society's Legal Aid Committee said:

"This is the fifth year of the Legal Aid Conference which is now a major event on the Scottish legal calendar. It provides an opportunity for solicitors who provide legal aid to meet and discuss issues of mutual interest and concern. With speakers including the Deputy Justice Minister, Lord Bonomy and Sheriff Principal McInnes it is not to be missed. We are also delighted that for the first time the Crown Office are participating in the conference. There are many changes for solicitors to work with and the Strategic Review published later today will provide more food for thought and ideas for change."

"Legal aid is fast changing. Many of those changes and improvements have come from the hard working Tripartite Group and the Society's Legal Aid Committee. We have nearly completed a review of every type of civil and criminal legal aid and the benefits are already showing. The most recent reforms of Advice and Assistance will come into force shortly."

Jean Couper also highlighted the vital role of the legal profession. She said:

"Access to justice is one of the most important rights in any free society. We value the work of the legal profession in delivering legal aid services. More and more we work in partnership with the profession, Scottish Executive, other agencies, the Scottish Parliament and other parts of the justice system. When looking to increase access to justice, by working together we can find new ways to deliver better services which also gives the taxpayer the best possible value for money."

ENDS

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Scottish Legal Aid Board: Colin Sim tel 0131 240 2033, or email simco@slab.org.uk

Law Society of Scotland: Iain McLaren in the Society’s Media Relations Office on Tel: 0131 476 8167/8115 or by email: iainmclaren@lawscot.org.uk

To obtain copies of the Stratgic Review reports, visit our Review section on this website.