Significant improvements to legal aid ahead

Wednesday 8 June 2005

Significant reform and change to the legal aid system over the next year, as part of Scottish Ministers’ programme of reform of the justice system, will improve delivery of services and develop access to justice, the Scottish Legal Aid Board said today when it published its Corporate Plan 2005-2006.

The plan sets out what the Board aims to achieve in the next year, and summarises the substantial progress achieved so far in delivering an improved legal aid system.

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

“The coming year provides opportunities to increase further the effectiveness of legal aid. In the next year there will be significant changes in legal assistance, such as reform of civil advice and assistance and solemn criminal legal aid, where quality assurance will be introduced.”

“We are also continuing to improve the delivery of legal aid. We have increased further some of our performance targets that reflect our commitment to applicants, opponents and the legal profession to deliver our service on time and to a high standard. We are working to minimise the bureaucracy involved in the administration of legal aid. Our investment in computer systems will enable all of services to be available online by 2005.”

“To deliver these changes, we are committed to working with the Scottish Executive and stakeholders within the legal profession, wider advice sector, and the justice sector.”

In addition to the developments highlighted in the Board’s plan, there will be further change as a result of the Strategic Review of legal aid, advice and information. The review report was published by Scottish Ministers in October 2004. A consultation on how the Scottish Executive intend to take forward its recommendations is expected shortly.

Jean Couper explained:

“We are committed to working with the Executive and other stakeholders to address Ministers’ decisions. We will respond quickly to introduce any short-term changes and to develop proposals and plans to implement other changes that cannot be taken forward in the short-term.”

The Corporate Plan 2005-2006 is the Board’s final plan in a three year corporate planning period. There are three key themes to the Board's strategy:

• increasing access to quality assured legal advice, assistance and representation for those who need it and who qualify for legal aid
  
• working with others to improve the efficient and effective operation of the legal aid system and its interaction with the justice system
  
• increasing the Board’s efficiency and effectiveness, and providing best value

The plan sets out in detail the main projects and tasks that the Board will deliver over the next year, including:

• the reform of civil advice and assistance so that it is more efficient to operate and works effectively alongside the reformed civil legal aid system
  
• review the impact of the reform of civil legal aid introduced in October 2003
  
• working with others to implement reform of criminal legal assistance, including taking forward changes resulting from the Executive’s reform of the sheriff court and High Court
  
• all of the Board's services will be available online by the end of 2005. This will enable applications and accounts to be made through a secure internet site, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the legal aid system and making it easier, quicker and more cost effective.
  
• further improving the Board's service to its customers, including a programme of projects to further improve the delivery of legal aid, such as by minimising bureaucracy, reviewing performance targets and engaging with customers and stakeholders through improved communications, surveys and events.

"Opportunities for access," the Board's Corporate Plan 2005-2006 is available on its website and from its Communications department.

ENDS

Journalists please contact: Colin Sim tel (direct) 0131 240 2033, mobile 07768 707454, or email simco@slab.org.uk

Notes for editors

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.

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. In 2003-2004 £146.0 million was spent on providing legal aid.