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Your views wanted - Scottish legal aid fee review
The Legal Aid Committee are looking for your views to feed into their response to the Scottish Goverment's legal aid fee review.
The value of legal aid
Legal aid plays an important role in Scottish society. John Mulholland, President of the Society pays tribute to our member solicitors who work on this basis to provide the very best quality advice and representation to some of the most vulnerable and marginalised members of our communities.
Scottish Government legal aid fee review: your views
Ian Moir, convener of the Law Society of Scotland Legal Aid Committee, calls for practitioners' experiences of the impact of legal aid fees
Legal aid fees court case
Members providing legal aid services will interested in the progress of a case at Edinburgh Sheriff court where a firm is seeking payment of interest on fees from the Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB).
Concerns remain over drop in legal aid spend
We have commented on a further drop in legal aid spend following publication of the Scottish Legal Aid Board annual report.
Consultation presents opportunity to create a fairer and simpler legal aid system
Consultation presents opportunity to create a fairer and simpler legal aid system
Establishing legal aid fee review panel a positive step
The conveners of the Law Society’s legal aid committees are among members of the Scottish Government’s Legal Aid Payment Framework Review Panel, announced today.
Law Society comment on Scottish Legal Aid Board annual report
Law Society pleased with the 3% increase in both civil and criminal legal aid rates but stress the need for a new evidence-based review system to ensure the sustainable future of legal aid.
Plans for legal aid reform published
Implementing new, evidence-based review system must be a priority in plans to modernise legal aid system
Trainees and legal aid
We are working on a joint project with the Scottish Legal Aid Board to gain a better understanding of the number of trainees involved in criminal and mixed practice.
Legal aid mandates guidance
A reminder from our Civil Legal Aid Quality Assurance Sub-Committee that all firms should keep a fully completed and signed legal aid mandate on their legal aid client files.
Legal aid must work for those who need it
After calling for an urgent overhaul of Scotland’s legal aid system, we have welcomed today’s report by Martyn Evans which says Scotland needs to ‘rethink legal aid’ and needs a ‘fundamentally new approach’.
New rights for suspects present funding challenge
New legislation provides right for all suspects held at police stations to request legal advice
Legal aid benefits Scotland’s health, wealth and happiness
Every person in Scotland benefits from legal aid according to a new study which is the first of its kind in Scotland.
SLAB annual report 2017
The Law Society has responded to the publication of the Scottish Legal Aid Board’s (SLAB) annual report 2017 today, Friday, 3 November, which shows a further overall drop in legal aid spending from £137.8 million to £135.7 million.
Society launches survey on impact of legal aid
The Law Society of Scotland has launched an online survey to assess the impact of legal aid work in Scotland.
Urgent investment needed to secure long-term future of legal aid
The Law Society of Scotland has called for increased investment, less bureaucracy and better use of technology to ensure the long-term sustainability of legal aid.
Legal services review announced
The Law Society of Scotland has welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement today, Tuesday, 25 April, of an independent review of legal services, saying that current legislation governing the legal sector is no longer fit for purpose.
Society calls for delay on SLAB code of practice
The Law Society of Scotland has called for the Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) to postpone the introduction of a proposed new code of practice until new legal aid fee levels for providing police station advice are agreed.
Survey of Scottish solicitors highlights Brexit and legal aid as key concerns
The impact of Brexit on the law and legal practice is a key issue for Scottish solicitors, according to the findings of a recent survey.
Legal aid news and updates - October 2016
The High Court of Justiciary has made an Act of Adjournal under section 305 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995.
Legal aid news and updates - November 2015
Sheriff court solemn practice; the new Sheriff Appeal Court; our continued call for the inflationary uprating of fees; implementation of the Criminal Justice Bill in relation to the police station duty scheme; solemn legal aid – interim payments; our discussions with SLAB about appointed solicitor ABWOR
Legal aid news and updates - August 2015
We are currently consulting with members on legal aid regulations which have been laid in the Scottish Parliament. The regulations make changes to legal aid payment structures because of structural changes through the Courts Reform Act 2014, which are soon to be implemented.
Legal aid news and updates - June 2015
The Society’s Legal Aid Committee would like to update members on regulations which have been laid in the Scottish Parliament.