Commons Sense

House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement

Justice Update

15 March 2022 · Ministry of Justice

Proposed by James Cartlidge Con South Suffolk

Justice & Courts

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

View on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Key points

  • The Minister of Justice announces the launch of the government's response to the Criminal Legal Aid Independent Review (CLAIR) and the Means Test Review consultation.
  • The minister proposes a fee uplift for criminal defence practitioners by 15% and an additional 20m p.a. investment, bringing total funding to 135m p.a.
  • Measures include increased eligibility thresholds for legal aid, removing upper income limits for Crown Court defendants, excluding certain assets from means tests, and exempting specific civil legal aid cases from means testing.

Issue summary

The Minister of Justice announces the launch of the government’s response to the Criminal Legal Aid Independent Review (CLAIR) and the Means Test Review consultation.

Action requested

The minister proposes a fee uplift for criminal defence practitioners by 15%, with an additional £20m p.a. investment in various areas, bringing total funding to £135m p.a., and includes measures like increased eligibility thresholds for legal aid, removing upper income limits for Crown Court defendants, excluding certain assets from means tests, and exempting specific civil legal aid cases from means testing.

Key facts

  • The fee uplift for criminal defence practitioners by 15% will inject an additional £115m p.a. at steady state.
  • An extra £20m p.a. is allocated for reforms including the Litigators Graduated Fee Scheme, youth court investment, and training contracts.
  • Total investment in criminal legal aid will reach £135m p.a., the highest level in a decade.
  • 3.5 million more people will be eligible for criminal legal aid at magistrates’ courts due to increased income thresholds.
  • All Crown Court defendants will become eligible for legal aid regardless of income.
  • Domestic abuse victims will find it easier to access legal aid by excluding certain assets from the means test.
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