Legal Funding

Legal aid is

The first state-funded legal aid scheme was in...

• 1999

• 1980

• 2012

• 1949

The Access to Justice Act (1999)

• Replaced the legal aid board with legal services commission.

• Removed state-funded legal aid

• Replaced the 6 existing schemes with Community legal service and Criminal defence service.

• Developed Community Legal Service Partnerships

Legal aid today is laid out by the

Civil legal aid is no longer available for....

Answer explanation

Medical negligence; welfare benefits; employment, consumer disputes; education (except in special needs cases); immigration; housing cases; private family cases unless cases involve domestic violence, child abduction or forced marriage

S.10 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 allow for 'exceptional funding' in cases where

S.16 of the LASPO - Criminal Aid provides

• Criminal advice

• Representation

• Access to Public Defender Service

• Lawyers

At the police station, legal aid allows access to....

• Defence Solicitor call centre

• Criminal Defence Direct

• Police station representative/ Public Defender Service

• Duty Solicitor Scheme (S.13)

Problems with the legal aid system

• Access to justice - often denied

• Unfair trial if legal aid is refused

• To heavy a reliance on private practice

• Problems with the public defender scheme

Other sources of legal funding

• Citizens Advice Bureaux

• Law Centres

• Pro-bono work

• Trade unions

Answer explanation

Citizens’ Advice Bureaux – A free, confidential, impartial and independent service available to the public on the High Street. They offer advice by telephone, face to face, email and home visits. • Law Centres – Law Centres work within the community and specialise in social welfare. They employ solicitors who offer free legal advice and representation. • Pro Bono Work – This is where lawyers act free of charge for clients. It is a registered charity for people who do not qualify for legal aid but can’t afford to pay for their legal costs. • Trade Unions – Membership of a trade union will often include legal advice as part of the monthly subscription.