Faculty statement on legal aid review

THE Scottish Government has published the findings of the independent strategic review of legal aid.

The review was chaired by Martyn Evans, who was assisted by an expert advisory group which included two members of Faculty, Janys Scott, QC, and Brian McConnachie, QC.

Angela Grahame, QC, Vice-Dean of Faculty, said: “All in our society benefit from living under the rule of law. Where legal aid allows thousands of people to have proper and fair access to justice, it is an essential element of the rule of law. Sight must never be lost of the fundamental importance of legal aid, and it is welcome that this review reinforces the scope and the merits of Scotland’s legal aid system.

“The review makes recommendations aimed at driving legal aid towards greater flexibility, but at the same time acknowledges the concerns of those who work hard at providing a service on a daily basis.

“There are opportunities here to be seized by all those engaged in making rights effective in a modern Scotland. The Faculty is keen to play its part in providing legal services of the future, and to work with the Scottish Government, the Law Society of Scotland and the proposed new Scottish Legal Assistance Authority to safeguard the place of legal aid in our country.”

The report is at http://www.gov.scot/About/Review/legal-aid-review