Recommendation 24

The government has acknowledged that, as more cases are dealt with in the magistrates’ courts, a greater proportion of defendants are likely to be ineligible for criminal legal aid than would have been had their case been heard in the Crown Court. It therefore follows that more defendants will be required to formulate grounds of appeal without legal representation in order to seek access to the Crown Court. There is a risk that inadequately drafted applications could increase the administrative burden on the Crown Court and the Crown Prosecution Service, requiring additional time to assess grounds that are poorly articulated rather than unmeritorious. (Conclusion, Paragraph 102)