Recommendation 9

LAA explained that for some places where there are local gaps in legal aid providers, people could seek remote advice from providers elsewhere in the country, providers in neighbouring areas or via its telephone service. MoJ stated there were some benefits of remote provision for many in providing a more discreet service and in ease of providing interpreter services. It also told us that remote provision could be beneficial in bringing more providers into the market. LAA does not collect data on the extent to which firms are providing their services remotely.22 However, it accepted that remote provision would not be suitable for everyone.23