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18/04/2012
Legal Aid Reforms To Save £500K
Justice Minister David Ford has introduced further reforms to criminal legal aid.
The new rules, regulating the use of two counsel in Crown Court Cases are expected to save in excess of £500,000 a year in legal aid costs.
David Ford said: "Since being elected Justice Minister, I have taken forward a programme of reform to the legal aid system. These new rules are part of that reform agenda."
Currently more than half of defendants in Northern Ireland are granted representation by two counsel, compared with about five per cent in England and Wales.
Under the new rules, legal representatives must provide a written application to request the use of an additional counsel and the judge will be required to make and retain a written record on the decision reached.
David Ford said: "Progress has been made in reforming the legal aid system in Northern Ireland and further reforms are planned.
"Under these new rules, safeguards have been built in to ensure that defendants receive the appropriate level of representation while at the same time making savings to the public purse."
(LB)
The new rules, regulating the use of two counsel in Crown Court Cases are expected to save in excess of £500,000 a year in legal aid costs.
David Ford said: "Since being elected Justice Minister, I have taken forward a programme of reform to the legal aid system. These new rules are part of that reform agenda."
Currently more than half of defendants in Northern Ireland are granted representation by two counsel, compared with about five per cent in England and Wales.
Under the new rules, legal representatives must provide a written application to request the use of an additional counsel and the judge will be required to make and retain a written record on the decision reached.
David Ford said: "Progress has been made in reforming the legal aid system in Northern Ireland and further reforms are planned.
"Under these new rules, safeguards have been built in to ensure that defendants receive the appropriate level of representation while at the same time making savings to the public purse."
(LB)
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