Legal aid bill totals £137.8m in 2015-16

The figures are included in SLAB’s annual report, laid before the Scottish Parliament yesterday.

Colin Lancaster, SLAB’s chief executive (pictured), said: “SLAB has a strong track record of effectively administering the legal aid system and delivering an increasing range of priorities for Scottish Ministers.

“Good performance in 2015-16 has been evidenced through the delivery of a range of key activities set out in this Annual Report and Accounts along with the full achievement of our current suite of key performance indicators.

“Through our effective consideration of legal aid applications and accounts, we have delivered our key function of managing the legal aid system.

“I took up post as chief executive in September 2015. I believe that any change in leadership brings an opportunity to look at things afresh.

“My focus to date has been, and will continue to be, SLAB’s development as an effective and responsive organisation that continually improves its delivery of an efficient and high quality legal aid system and its provision of sound, evidence-based advice to Ministers on how to further develop the system to ensure it meets the needs of the people of Scotland.”