Legal aid for an appeal by a person convicted of an offence who has since died Criminal legal aid for appeals in Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission cases

The provisions under our legislation relating to criminal appeals [sections 25 and 25AB of the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986] apply to any appeal within the meaning of section 303A of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 [section 25AA of the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986]. Under this, a person may be authorised by the High Court to institute or continue any appeal which could have been, or has been instituted by a person convicted of an offence who has since died.

  • Where legal aid had already been granted to the convicted person before their death, such legal aid will continue to be made available to the authorised person.
  • Where an application was still pending at the date of death, the authorised person may continue the application and will be treated as the applicant.
  • If the convicted person had not applied for legal aid, the authorised person may apply and will be treated as the client.

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