Recommendation 27

However, the Committee is clear that it is not acceptable for residents of rural areas to face such limited options in accessing advice and assistance as is the case in the Highlands. Our recent Report on our inquiry into Civil Legal Assistance in Scotland found that “there is an urgent need for action to improve the delivery of the civil legal assistance and in turn improve access to justice.”. We therefore disagree with the Minister’s suggestion that the legal aid system is “generally effective in delivering help to those who need it”, particularly those living in remote and rural communities and reiterate our conclusions around the urgent need for reform as set out in our report.