Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 35
35
Paragraph: 127
Sustainability issues for civil legal aid providers are sufficiently serious to justify a complete overhaul...
Conclusion
Sustainability issues for civil legal aid providers are sufficiently serious to justify a complete overhaul of the system. A number of witnesses have highlighted that a combination of number of fundamental problems rather than one or two specific issues contribute to the unsustainability of civil legal aid. Furthermore, this lack of sustainability is having a knock-on effect on the ability of those entitled to legal aid to access lawyers to provide advice and representation. We welcome the fact that the Government is undertaking a review to look at these issues in the round. That said, the success of that review will depend on whether it is able to put forward the radical solutions needed to make civil legal aid sustainable again. We received evidence to suggest that an internal review may not be adequate to that task. If that proves to be so, an independent review may be required, along the lines of the Independent Criminal Legal Aid Review, to acquire the evidence base needed for far-reaching changes.
Paragraph Reference:
127
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
We agree that the sustainability of civil legal aid providers is an important issue and are continuing to consider the best approach internally. We continue to engage with stakeholders on this issue and will engage with them in due course on next steps.