Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Legal Aid

Tuesday 5 November 2024 · 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 is vital for access to justice and early legal advice is crucial
  • The Minister is considering raising administrative issues with the Legal Aid Agency's chief executive
  • The Minister has yet to hold discussions with the Policing and Justice Minister in Northern Ireland regarding legal aid availability

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Abtisam Mohamed Lab Sheffield Central
Justice & Courts
Context

There are concerns about cuts to legal aid and the narrowing of its scope, which have left many unable to resolve issues without being able to afford legal representation.

Question

Whether she plans to widen the scope of cases covered by legal aid. Cuts to legal aid and the narrowing of its scope have meant that people are no longer able to get early legal advice. Will the Minister consider restoring legal aid to pre-2012 levels for all areas of civil law?

Answer from Heidi Alexander

Legal aid is vital for access to justice. We are looking at evidence from the civil legal aid review on demand, fees, and geographic provision. I will consider raising administrative issues with the Legal Aid Agency's chief executive.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to restore legal aid levels or specific bureaucratic changes was not given

How: Looking At Evidence, Raising Issues

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Q2 Abtisam Mohamed Lab Sheffield Central
Justice & Courts
Context

Concerns persist about the impact of legal aid cuts, making it difficult for those unable to afford representation. There is a need to review administrative issues that hinder small firms.

Question

Cuts to legal aid have left people without early legal advice. Will she restore legal aid to pre-2012 levels for civil law and review the Legal Aid Agency bureaucracy?

Answer from Heidi Alexander

Early legal advice is crucial; we are looking at how to improve access. However, financial challenges mean careful consideration is needed. I will raise administrative issues with the Legal Aid Agency's chief executive.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to review bureaucracy was not given

How: Financial Challenges, Raising Issues

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Q3 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Justice & Courts Northern Ireland Standards & Ethics
Context

Victims lacking financial resources and access to legal aid are seeking justice, raising concerns about the need for cross-border discussions.

Question

What discussions has the Minister had with the Policing and Justice Minister in Northern Ireland to ensure that legal aid available here can also be made available there?

Answer from Heidi Alexander

I have yet to hold those conversations but hope to do so in the coming months.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment or timeline not given

How: Hope To Discuss

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