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MSPs told of hard times for justice as legal aid deserts grow
Legal aid deserts continue to grow as solicitors working on civil matters abandon the system, the Law Society of Scotland has warned a parliamentary inquiry.
Law Society to highlight civil legal aid crisis at Holyrood inquiry
The Law Society of Scotland will ensure a newly launched Holyrood inquiry understands the extent of the crisis in civil legal aid, and the changes required to restore the system.
Scottish Government’s legal aid plans fail to reflect urgency of crisis
The Law Society of Scotland says newly announced plans for legal aid fail to reflect the urgency and scale of the crisis in access to justice.
The Scottish Government has today released a legal aid discussion paper alongside plans to reduce the administrative burden of legal aid, but has remained silent on the key issue of inadequate fees driving solicitors to exit and putting the system into crisis.
SLAB report confirms that legal aid remains in crisis
Newly released data from the Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) suggests that demand for legal aid support is no longer able to be met by the shrinking pool of solicitors working in the scheme.
Programme for Government a missed opportunity for access to justice
The Scottish Government has proposed a range of positive justice sector reforms in its 2024-25 Programme for Government, but has failed to recognise the urgent need for investment in access to justice and legal aid.
Law Society statement on SSBA boycott
The Law Society of Scotland has responded to an announcement from the Scottish Solicitors Bar Association that its members will be resuming a boycott of summary domestic abuse cases.
Holiday courts damaging overstretched criminal justice system
The Law Society of Scotland has called for criminal court hearings held on public holidays to be ended, because of the severe negative impact they are having on legal practitioners and their clients.
Lack of progress leads Law Society to withdraw from legal aid talks
The Law Society is to withdraw from discussions on the creation of a review mechanism for legal aid fees, stating it had ‘lost confidence’ in the Scottish Government project following a lack of progress in two years.
Legal aid left in the dark despite welcome focus on justice sector
The Law Society of Scotland says the Scottish Government is right to focus on the justice sector in its 2023-24 Programme for Government, but is deeply concerned that legal aid has again been ignored.
Long-term change to save legal aid must be fast-tracked
The Law Society of Scotland has described the Scottish Government’s confirmation of an additional £11 million for legal aid as ‘a step in the right direction’ but called for urgent progress on a formal review mechanism to ensure the sector remains sustainable.
Law Society backs call for urgent reform to legal aid system
The Law Society of Scotland has backed the Scottish Legal Aid Board’s call for urgent reform to address the crisis facing the legal aid system and access to justice as a whole.
Legal aid crisis hitting Scotland's most deprived families
New data reveals hundreds of legal aid ‘not-spots’ – deprived communities with no civil legal aid firms.
Proposed fee increase marks progress but more action needed to resolve legal aid crisis
The Law Society of Scotland has stated that a proposed rise in legal aid fees is a step in the right direction, but further action is urgently needed to resolve the long-term crisis in the sector.
England and Wales funding boost underlines Scottish legal aid crisis
Responding to the UK Government Ministry of Justice proposals for £135m additional funding per year for criminal legal aid in England and Wales, the Law Society of Scotland has criticised the lack of progress on resolving the legal aid crisis in Scotland.
Irreparable damage to access to justice without immediate action
The Scottish Government’s historic and continued neglect of the Scottish Legal Aid system will result in people who cannot afford legal advice being denied access to justice, according to a letter from the Law Society of Scotland President to the Scottish Government.
Urgent need for justice sector reform highlighted by Scottish Parliament report
The Scottish Parliament’s Criminal Justice Committee report into reforming the criminal justice sector is an important recognition of critical issues facing the sector and the urgency required for solutions.
Legal aid spending drop highlights funding crisis in the sector
Following publication of the Scottish Legal Aid Board’s annual report, which shows a fall in legal aid spending from £130.9m in 2020 to £99.1m in 2020-21, we have said the drop in funding emphasises the urgent need for a long term funding plan for the sector to ensure those in need can access legal advice and services.
Solicitors protest reform of a system at breaking point
Our President, Ken Dalling, reiterates that the Scottish Government must take action on legal aid.
Law Society of Scotland calls for an explanation for weekend court incident
Our President, Ken Dalling, calls for an explanation after reports of a solicitor being removed from Edinburgh Sheriff Court
COP26 legal aid issues are a 'generation in the making'
The Society's President Ken Dalling has met with the Scottish Government's Minister for Community Safety Ash Regan, to discuss legal aid issues surrounding COP26.
Law Society comment on Programme for Government 2021-22
Responding to today’s announcement of the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government for 2021-22, the Law Society's President has criticised the lack of progress on legal aid reform, saying the Scottish Government of dragging its feet on the issue.
Legal Aid Payment Review Panel report
The Society's Legal Aid Committee Co-convener, Ian Moir, comments on a report from the Legal Aid Payment Review Panel published this month
Legal aid trainee fund launches
The Scottish Government’s £1 million fund to support 40 legal aid traineeships in Scotland has opened to applicants.