Press Release
Numbers helped by civil legal aid hits six-year high
23 March 2006
Figures released today by the Legal Services Commission show that more people will get legal aid help this year than at any point since 2000.
Between 680,000 – 700,000 new civil legal aid cases will have been started before the end of the current financial year.
Commenting on the past year’s success Sir Michael Bichard, Chairman of the Legal Services Commission said: “We have made some difficult decisions in order to balance the diverse advice needs of individuals and the best use is made of taxpayers’ money, so that the most vulnerable people in our communities are able to access justice.
“However, by focusing our resources on direct services for the public we will enable 625,000 people to get face-to-face civil legal advice and assistance. That’s an additional 10% of people across England and Wales getting help compared with the previous year. On top of this, another 70,000 cases will be delivered by the Community Legal Service Direct telephone service. I’m pleased that we will help the largest number of people ever in this way in the history of the Legal Services Commission.
“There has been a lot of talk in recent times about declining access to legal aid and an unwillingness of firms and agencies to work in this sector. These latest figures indicate the exact opposite.
“Today we also unveil our strategy for the Community Legal Service. This will set out how we will build on our accomplishments to ensure a sustainable civil legal aid scheme for the future.”
Each of the Commission’s regional offices produced a regional strategy to support the increase in the number of cases opened this year. At the beginning of the financial year they agreed with local solicitors and advice agencies, which provide services directly to the public, how many cases they could undertake in various categories of law.
They have been working with these service providers to ensure they use their full allocation of legal aid cases. Where organisations have been unable or unwilling to make full use of their allocation, their cases have been redistributed to other providers in order to ensure those who need help get it.
“The LSC has been impressed with the willingness and commitment of law firms and agencies to do more legal aid cases. Working in partnership with such dedicated advice providers is essential for getting people the help they need,” Sir Michael said.
In addition the Commission has continued to develop other ways for people to receive advice. People eligible for legal aid can speak to a legal advisor on the telephone, through Community Legal Service Direct, - on 0845 345 4 345 - about debt, welfare benefits, housing and employment issues. Anyone can also get basic legal information and advice on an extensive range of legal problems from the service by visiting the CLS Direct website.
Media information
Daniel Kellingley
020 7759 0415
Notes to editors
1. Details of each regional strategy are available from the LSC website.
2. Details of local legal aid solicitors and advisers are available via Community Legal Service Direct on 0845 345 4 345.
3. To sustain numbers of high quality legal aid solicitors and advisers, the Commission introduced training grants in 2003 of up to £20,000 per person over a two-year period.
Last updated: 28 December 2006