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09/04/2013
Consultation Launches On Legal Aid Savings
Proposals aiming to save £220m from the criminal legal aid bill have been revealed as a consultation period begins.
Plans include stopping defendants with a disposable income of more than £37,500 from automatically receiving legal aid and curbing prisoners' right to legal aid.
The proposals also pave the way for lawyers to compete for contracts, however, the Law Society, which represents solicitors in England and Wales, said that could be "catastrophic".
They say it is "implausible that tendering will save the sort of sums of money the Treasury is looking for and there is some doubt whether it will save anything at all".
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) consultation document sets out key areas for savings in the next phase of legal aid reforms.
(H/CD)
Plans include stopping defendants with a disposable income of more than £37,500 from automatically receiving legal aid and curbing prisoners' right to legal aid.
The proposals also pave the way for lawyers to compete for contracts, however, the Law Society, which represents solicitors in England and Wales, said that could be "catastrophic".
They say it is "implausible that tendering will save the sort of sums of money the Treasury is looking for and there is some doubt whether it will save anything at all".
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) consultation document sets out key areas for savings in the next phase of legal aid reforms.
(H/CD)
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23 September 2003
CAB warns legal aid system decimated by government audits
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28 November 2006
Legal Aid review proposals unveiled
Lord Falconer, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs and Vera Baird QC MP, Legal Aid Minister, have set out "market" reforms to legal aid provision in England and Wales.
Legal Aid review proposals unveiled
Lord Falconer, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs and Vera Baird QC MP, Legal Aid Minister, have set out "market" reforms to legal aid provision in England and Wales.
01 June 2015
New Measures Introduced To Make Criminals Pay Towards Legal Bills
New measures to make criminals pay more towards their legal bills have come into force today, Monday. The changes are the latest in a package of legal aid reforms which make sure those accused of a crime and are wealthy enough to pay for some, or all, of their legal representation do so.
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New measures to make criminals pay more towards their legal bills have come into force today, Monday. The changes are the latest in a package of legal aid reforms which make sure those accused of a crime and are wealthy enough to pay for some, or all, of their legal representation do so.
13 July 2006
Radical reform planned for legal aid system
Radical reform of the legal aid system has today been set in motion as the Lord Chancellor opened consultations on implementing substantial changes to the way Government buys legal advice on behalf of the public.
Radical reform planned for legal aid system
Radical reform of the legal aid system has today been set in motion as the Lord Chancellor opened consultations on implementing substantial changes to the way Government buys legal advice on behalf of the public.
05 March 2013
Top Judge Hits Out At Legal Aid Cuts
Lord Neuberger, UK's most senior judge, has raised concerns over legal aid cuts. He told the BBC: "My worry is the removal of legal aid for people to get advice about law and get representation in court will start to undermine the rule of law because people will feel like the government isn't giving them access to justice in all sorts of cases.
Top Judge Hits Out At Legal Aid Cuts
Lord Neuberger, UK's most senior judge, has raised concerns over legal aid cuts. He told the BBC: "My worry is the removal of legal aid for people to get advice about law and get representation in court will start to undermine the rule of law because people will feel like the government isn't giving them access to justice in all sorts of cases.
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