Legal aid review enables modernisation of access to justice

Friday 29 October 2004

Modernisation of legal aid and legal advice and information has taken a significant step forward today, with publication of the strategic review of legal aid, advice and information by Hugh Henry MSP, Deputy Justice Minister. The review has been welcomed by the Scottish Legal Aid Board, the public body that runs legal aid in Scotland.

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 welcome publication of this Review of legal aid, advice and information. It is has been a substantial piece of work, and is a significant step in taking forward the modernisation of legal aid, advice and information."

"The review sets out a number of interesting proposals to reform and improve access to justice through legal aid and advice and information services. It gives us has given the opportunity to join with others to think creatively about how the legal aid system can work better in future."

"We particularly welcome the recommendation finding that the Board should be given an enhanced role to help deliver a better co-ordinated , and more flexible and responsive system. We will carefully consider carefully the review's recommendations and . We also look forward to undertaking development work to deliver improved legal aid services in the coming year following Ministers’ decisions to deliver improved legal aid services ."

Ends

Journalists please contact :

Colin Sim tel (direct) 0131 240 2033, or email simco@slab.org.uk

Notes for editors

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

1. Legal aid allows people who would not otherwise be able to afford it to get help for their legal problems. Legal aid and advice and assistance can only be accessed through a solicitor.
   
2. In 2003-2004 there were 407,156 grants of legal assistance. The costs to the taxpayer of providing this legal assistance was £146 million.
   
3. The Scottish Legal Aid Board was set up in 1987 to manage legal aid in Scotland. The Board employs around 300 full-time staff. Twelve Board members, appointed by Scottish Ministers, oversee the work. The Board’s mission is to promote the development and delivery of appropriate access to quality legal assistance for those eligible, in a cost-effective manner.
   
4. For more information, visit the Board's website www.slab.org.uk