Following the well-documented legal aid crisis in Scotland, we welcome the commitment from the Scottish Government to implement reform of legal aid within the next 18 months.
The Scottish Government has pledged ongoing support and an increase in funding.
For years, Scotland’s legal aid system has been facing an escalating crisis that threatens to undermine access to justice for some of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable members of society.
The budget allocated for legal aid has not kept pace with inflation, or the rising cost of providing such services, resulting in many solicitors being forced to reduce their services or even leave the legal aid sector entirely. This leaves clients with fewer options for representation.
We hope the Scottish Government can work collaboratively with practitioners and the Scottish Legal Aid Board to provide substantial and urgent reform at this critical point.