Boost for swifter justice as legal aid consultation launches
The government has today (24 January 2025) launched a consultation on reforming the legal aid system in England and Wales. The reforms are designed to make it quicker and easier for people to access legal advice and representation, and to ensure that the system is more efficient and effective.
The consultation proposes a number of changes to the current system, including:
- Increasing the availability of legal aid for early advice and representation. This would make it easier for people to get help with legal problems at an early stage, before they escalate into more serious issues.
- Introducing a new system of fixed fees for legal aid work. This would make it easier for people to understand the cost of legal advice and representation, and would help to ensure that legal aid is used in a more efficient way.
- Making it easier for people to apply for legal aid. The government is proposing to introduce a new online application system for legal aid, which would make it quicker and easier for people to apply for help.
The consultation is open to everyone, and the government is particularly interested in hearing the views of people who have experience of using the legal aid system. The consultation will close on 21 April 2025.
The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Dominic Raab, said:
“The legal aid system is a vital part of our justice system, but it is in need of reform. These reforms will make it quicker and easier for people to access legal advice and representation, and will help to ensure that the system is more efficient and effective.
“I encourage everyone to take part in the consultation and share their views. The government is committed to reforming the legal aid system, and we want to make sure that the changes we make are based on the needs of the people who use it.”
The consultation document can be found on the Ministry of Justice website: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/reforming-the-legal-aid-system
Boost for swifter justice as legal aid consultation launches
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