Legal Aid

Thousands of Scotland’s most deprived families are facing the prospect of representing themselves in court thanks to a chronic shortage of civil legal aid firms. New analysis by the Law Society of Scotland shows that the 139 most deprived communities in Scotland, resident to around 100,000 peo

The vast majority of criminal defence solicitors in Edinburgh have suffered mentally and physically from the work they do. A survey by the Edinburgh Bar Association (EBA) found that 87.5 per cent of members agreed that their role as a criminal defence solicitor has had a negative impact on their men

A proposed rise in legal aid fees is a step in the right direction, but further action is urgently needed to resolve the long-term crisis in the sector, the Law Society of Scotland has said. Following discussions with the Law Society, the Scottish government has proposed an £11 million increas

The Edinburgh Bar Association (EBA) has accused the Scottish government of mischaracterising the dire legal aid situation as the result of market forces. Legal affairs minister Ash Regan had claimed that the decline in numbers of criminal legal aid lawyers was a natural response to the drop in prose

A new initiative to expedite the resolution of summary cases will short-change defence lawyers, without extra pay. The Summary Case Management pilot, which begins today, seeks to reduce the number of unnecessary hearings at summary level, which contributed to over 400,000 witness citations last year

English solicitors could be given more advocacy rights under UK government plans to break the barristers' strike, according to reports. The Daily Mail quotes a government source as saying ministers "are looking to give more solicitors higher rights of audience to broaden the work they can do, increa

Criminal barristers in England and Wales have voted overwhelmingly for an indefinite strike in a major escalation of their campaign for higher legal aid pay. After a two-week ballot by the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) in which 2,273 people voted — significantly more than either of the two pr

Legal affairs minister Ash Regan has made what she claims is a “substantial and credible offer” of support to legal aid practitioners amid a bizarre claim that Scotland has "finest legal aid system in the world". A "robust" package of support was set out by Ms Regan in a letter to the se

Solicitors in London are refusing to take on cases for defendants accused of assaulting emergency workers and harassment in a legal aid row with the UK government. Defence lawyers in the capital have already refused burglary cases on the basis legal aid fees are inadequate.

Criminal law barristers have overwhelmingly voted to strike as part of their legal aid dispute with the UK government. Following a ballot of 2,500 members, the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) said it would pursue "the highest form of escalation", consisting of "days of action combined with both no re

The Scottish government has been sharply criticised over a "lack of engagement" with solicitors as the criminal justice system teeters on the brink of collapse. The Scottish Solicitors Bar Association (SSBA), which was formed in 2021 to represent and promote the interests of criminal defence solicit

Responding to the Scottish government’s Resource Spending Review announced last week, the Law Society of Scotland has criticised the freezing of justice budgets until 2027, saying that the government’s commitment to the recovery of the courts post-pandemic requires investment which is no

Thorntons partner Murray Etherington has vowed to fight to protect legal aid across Scotland.  He said he will also focus on the Law Society’s critical role in regulating the profession following the Scottish government’s proposals to overhaul the country’s legal system.

Criminal solicitors in London are to refuse low-paid cases this week in protest at legal aid rates. More than 100 solicitors have voted to stop representing people accused of assaults and burglaries on medical workers from tomorrow.

Advisers stationed at GP surgeries, council offices, libraries, and other convenient locations can help more people get more timely access to civil justice, according to a new think tank report. The Social Market Foundation said that legal support for civil justice can better reach the those in need