Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Legal Aid

Tuesday 21 February 2023 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Legal aid providers have increased since the introduction of the new standard contract in October.
  • The Legal Aid Agency monitors areas to ensure no legal aid deserts exist in the country.
  • Funding for the Bellamy review recommendations has begun, including an uplift for solicitors and barristers.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Beth Winter
Justice & Courts
Context

There is concern over the reduction in civil legal aid providers from more than 2,100 to fewer than 1,400 in the past decade. Some areas are facing shortages of legal aid services, known as deserts.

Question

What steps have been taken to increase availability of legal aid? With legal aid providers decreasing and some regions becoming deserts, what assurances can you give that no further closures will occur before the civil legal aid review concludes?

Answer from Mike Freer

Since the new standard contract was introduced in October, there has been an increase in duty solicitors and firms taking on legal aid. The Legal Aid Agency closely monitors deserts to ensure no part of the country is left uncovered.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific assurances against closures until the review concludes

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Q2 Beth Winter
Context

Civil legal aid providers have decreased from over 2,100 to fewer than 1,400 in the last decade. Areas like the south Wales valleys are experiencing shortages of legal aid services.

Question

With civil legal aid providers falling and areas becoming deserts, what assurances can you give that no further closures will occur before the review concludes?

Answer from Mike Freer

Since October's new standard contract was introduced, there has been an increase in duty solicitors and firms taking on legal aid. The Legal Aid Agency closely monitors deserts to ensure no part of the country is left uncovered.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific assurances against closures until the review concludes

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Q3 Afzal Khan Lab Manchester Rusholme
Justice & Courts Employment
Context

There are concerns that political decisions have weakened the criminal justice system. Barristers received a 15% increase, while solicitors only got a 9%, potentially risking access to justice for victims.

Question

Given recent budgeting choices that affect the criminal justice system and considering the Bellamy review recommendation of a 15% raise for both barristers and solicitors, will you commit to funding all recommendations made by the Bellamy review to ensure equal treatment between prosecution and defence lawyers?

Answer from Mike Freer

The uplift for solicitors and barristers has already started being paid. Since the new contract was introduced, we have seen an increase in duty solicitors and firms taking on legal aid. We are having constructive discussions with the Law Society to address concerns.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to fully funding all Bellamy review recommendations

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