Ministers urged to rethink legal aid plans
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.
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Hide AdMSPs 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.