CDS News

We have launched a joint consultation with the Ministry of Justice on the re-introduction of means testing in the Crown Court.

The consultation paper Means Testing and the Crown Court will run for 12 weeks.

Those who can afford to pay, should pay

The proposals support the government’s commitment that those who can afford to pay for their defence should do so.

LSC Chief Execuitve Carolyn Regan said:

“Means testing is a part of our commitment to deliver a sustainable legal aid system. We are moving forward with Crown Court means testing in a steady, measured way, by consulting closely with the judiciary, the courts and the profession.

“The proposed scheme will be as straightforward as possible and will cause the minimum of disruption to the judicial process.
“We will be listening carefully to the views of providers, on the proposals and the design of the future scheme.”

Responding to the consultation

Responses should be made to:

Annette Cowell
Criminal Legal Aid Strategy Division
Ministry of Justice
5th Floor
102 Petty France
London SW1H 9AJ

For more information

The consultation lasts 12 weeks until 29 January 2009. Read the paper on the Ministry of Justice website.

Read the joint press release on the About us > Newsroom pages.

Read more about the project on the CDS > Criminal legal aid eligibility pages.