Commons Sense

House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement

Government's response to the Criminal Legal Aid Independent Review consultation

30 November 2022 · Ministry of Justice

Proposed by Mike Freer Con Finchley and Golders Green

Justice & Courts

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

View on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Key points

  • Government commits to an increased investment of 138m per year for criminal legal aid, with 85m for solicitors and 43m for barristers.
  • Structural reforms to police station fees are proposed, along with additional funding for youth court reform and case preparation work.
  • The Criminal Legal Aid Advisory Board has been established to advise on the criminal legal aid system.

Issue summary

The statement addresses the government's response to the Criminal Legal Aid Independent Review (CLAIR) and outlines reforms to criminal legal aid.

Action requested

The government is committing to an increased investment of £138m per year, including £85m for solicitors and £43m for barristers. It also proposes structural reforms to police station fees and allocates additional funding for youth court reform and case preparation work. The Criminal Legal Aid Advisory Board has been established to advise on the criminal legal aid system.

Key facts

  • Lord Bellamy KC conducted an Independent Review of Criminal Legal Aid.
  • Additional investment of around £135m per year was proposed in March 2022.
  • A 15% fee increase came into effect on 30 September 2022.
  • The Criminal Legal Aid Advisory Board (CLAAB) has been established to advise the Lord Chancellor.
  • An increased investment of £138m per year is committed, including £85m for solicitors and £43m for barristers.
  • Additional funding of £16m for harmonising police station fees.
  • An extra £5m towards Youth Court reform from the 2024/25 financial year.
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