The Future of Legal Aid

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Contents

Summary

1 Introduction

The role of legal aid in society

2 Criminal legal aid

The role of criminal legal aid lawyers in the criminal justice system

Recent changes to the criminal legal aid framework

Sustainability

Recruitment and retention

Remuneration

Diversity

Fee schemes

Quality and complexity

Focus on Crown Court work

Rebalancing the system

The throughput of work and the impact on sustainability

The impact of Covid-

The means test

Young suspects and legal aid

Technology and access to justice

Conclusion

3 Civil legal aid

The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO)

Early advice and scope

Social welfare law

Family law

The future of early advice

Litigants in person

Impact on court capacity

Data

The legal support action plan

The means test

Exceptional Case Funding

Sustainability

Recruitment and retention

Advice deserts

Technology

4 Legal Aid Agency

The Legal Aid Agency’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic

The Legal Aid Agency’s relationship with legal aid providers

Conclusions and recommendations

Formal minutes

Witnesses

Published written evidence

List of Reports from the Committee during the current Parliament