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Criminal legal aid update
30 June 2022
Type
Written Ministerial Statement
Department
Ministry of Justice
At a Glance
Issue Summary
The statement discusses reforms to criminal legal aid fees in response to the Independent Review recommendations.
Action Requested
The minister announces an immediate 15 percent fee increase across most fee schemes by September, with a statutory instrument laid on July 21. Longer-term reforms including fixed fee abolition and pre-charge engagement scope extension are planned for publication this Autumn.
Key Facts
- The Independent Review of Criminal Legal Aid recommended a £135m immediate pay increase.
- A consultation in March proposed the most significant criminal legal aid reform in over a decade with an additional investment of £135m.
- The fee increase will be implemented at 15 percent across majority of schemes by September, supported by a statutory instrument laid on July 21.
- £20m is set aside for addressing perverse incentives related to payment for pages of prosecution evidence as part of long-term reforms.
- An 'opt out' pilot for children in Brixton and Wembley police stations will potentially be rolled out widely.
- Pre-charge engagement work scope is being extended, and fixed fees are planned to be abolished where individuals opt for Crown Court trials.
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