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08/08/2013
Legal Aid Spending To Be Cut By £14m
Justice Minister David Ford has proposed to reduce the cost of civil legal aid by a further £14m.
The proposals were published today in the consultation document 'Civil Legal Aid Remuneration' and call for the introduction of standard fees for civil legal aid cases.
The Department of Justice intends to reduce the legal aid budget overall by about £20m.
David Ford said: "Spending on civil legal aid needs to be reduced overall by approximately £20m annually and the proposals in this consultation mark a further step in my reform programme, and it is envisaged they will yield annual savings of approximately £14m.
"I have already taken action on criminal legal aid regarding remuneration fees, which resulted in a saving of approximately £20million annually, and it is therefore appropriate to consider introducing similar proposals to the area of civil legal aid.
"The introduction of a standardised fees system has three key benefits: it brings greater financial control to the cost of civil legal aid where governance could be enhanced; it enhances the capacity both in the Commission and the department to forecast civil legal aid expenditure in future years; and it reduces running costs for the legal profession and the Commission."
(IT/JP)
The proposals were published today in the consultation document 'Civil Legal Aid Remuneration' and call for the introduction of standard fees for civil legal aid cases.
The Department of Justice intends to reduce the legal aid budget overall by about £20m.
David Ford said: "Spending on civil legal aid needs to be reduced overall by approximately £20m annually and the proposals in this consultation mark a further step in my reform programme, and it is envisaged they will yield annual savings of approximately £14m.
"I have already taken action on criminal legal aid regarding remuneration fees, which resulted in a saving of approximately £20million annually, and it is therefore appropriate to consider introducing similar proposals to the area of civil legal aid.
"The introduction of a standardised fees system has three key benefits: it brings greater financial control to the cost of civil legal aid where governance could be enhanced; it enhances the capacity both in the Commission and the department to forecast civil legal aid expenditure in future years; and it reduces running costs for the legal profession and the Commission."
(IT/JP)
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