Ministers urged to rethink legal aid plans

The Scottish Government has been urged to carefully consider if proposed changes to criminal legal aid can be improved.

Ministers have put forward legislation that would mean people with a disposable income of £68 a week or more would pay a financial contribution towards criminal legal aid.

The Scottish Government believes the measure could save £3.9 million a year from the legal aid budget.

MSPs on Holyrood’s Justice Committee backed in principle the proposals in the Scottish Civil Justice Council and Criminal Legal Assistance Bill.

Committee convener Christine Grahame said: “While the Justice Committee supports the general principles of the Bill, we have made a number of recommendations we expect the Scottish Government to consider carefully to improve this proposed legislation.”

It’s thought about 80% of 
people receiving legal aid would continue to pay nothing.