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Legal aid trainee fund launches
The Scottish Government’s £1 million fund to support 40 legal aid traineeships in Scotland has opened to applicants.
5% legal aid fee increase is a first step, not a fix
Today (22 March) marks the introduction of a 5% increase in legal aid fees, but Law Society President Amanda Millar warns that this is just the first step on a journey.
Court business reduction extended throughout March
The safety of court users remains of primary concern as the Lord President announces that the current reduction in court business will remain in place throughout March 2021.
Scottish Government legal aid resilience fund open
We're encouraging legal aid firms to look closely at the criterial for the Coronavirus Resilience and Recovery Fund for legal aid and apply if they are eligible.
Legal aid support package a positive step forward
The Scottish Government has confirmed details of a revised package of legal aid support. Our President, Amanda Millar, has welcomed the package as a positive step forward.
Court protests show ‘clear and understandable’ frustration among solicitors
Commenting on today’s protest action by court solicitors, President of the Law Society of Scotland, Amanda Millar said, “The frustration being felt by the profession across Scotland is clear and completely understandable. Over recent days, I have seen some legal aid solicitors in tears, fearful of the future and angry at a system which does not seem to care.
Criminal law and legal aid round-up July 2020
A round-up of activity undertaken by the Criminal Law and Legal Aid Committees in response to the coronavirus outbreak so far, as well as a look ahead to what challenges they are focussing on next.
Your views wanted - Scottish legal aid fee review
The Legal Aid Committee are looking for your views to feed into their response to the Scottish Goverment's legal aid fee review.
The value of legal aid
Legal aid plays an important role in Scottish society. John Mulholland, President of the Society pays tribute to our member solicitors who work on this basis to provide the very best quality advice and representation to some of the most vulnerable and marginalised members of our communities.
Scottish Government legal aid fee review: your views
Ian Moir, convener of the Law Society of Scotland Legal Aid Committee, calls for practitioners' experiences of the impact of legal aid fees
Legal aid fees court case
Members providing legal aid services will interested in the progress of a case at Edinburgh Sheriff court where a firm is seeking payment of interest on fees from the Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB).
Concerns remain over drop in legal aid spend
We have commented on a further drop in legal aid spend following publication of the Scottish Legal Aid Board annual report.
Consultation presents opportunity to create a fairer and simpler legal aid system
Consultation presents opportunity to create a fairer and simpler legal aid system
Establishing legal aid fee review panel a positive step
The conveners of the Law Society’s legal aid committees are among members of the Scottish Government’s Legal Aid Payment Framework Review Panel, announced today.
Law Society comment on Scottish Legal Aid Board annual report
Law Society pleased with the 3% increase in both civil and criminal legal aid rates but stress the need for a new evidence-based review system to ensure the sustainable future of legal aid.
Plans for legal aid reform published
Implementing new, evidence-based review system must be a priority in plans to modernise legal aid system
Trainees and legal aid
We are working on a joint project with the Scottish Legal Aid Board to gain a better understanding of the number of trainees involved in criminal and mixed practice.
Legal aid mandates guidance
A reminder from our Civil Legal Aid Quality Assurance Sub-Committee that all firms should keep a fully completed and signed legal aid mandate on their legal aid client files.
Legal aid must work for those who need it
After calling for an urgent overhaul of Scotland’s legal aid system, we have welcomed today’s report by Martyn Evans which says Scotland needs to ‘rethink legal aid’ and needs a ‘fundamentally new approach’.
New rights for suspects present funding challenge
New legislation provides right for all suspects held at police stations to request legal advice
Legal aid benefits Scotland’s health, wealth and happiness
Every person in Scotland benefits from legal aid according to a new study which is the first of its kind in Scotland.
SLAB annual report 2017
The Law Society has responded to the publication of the Scottish Legal Aid Board’s (SLAB) annual report 2017 today, Friday, 3 November, which shows a further overall drop in legal aid spending from £137.8 million to £135.7 million.
Society launches survey on impact of legal aid
The Law Society of Scotland has launched an online survey to assess the impact of legal aid work in Scotland.