Legal aid crisis to deepen after pre-election Budget blow

The Law Society of Scotland is seeking urgent clarification from the Scottish Government on why legal aid has again been ignored in the final Budget before this year’s Holyrood election.

Cabinet Secretary for Finance Shona Robinson announced the 2026-27 Budget in the Scottish Parliament on 13 January 2026, declaring a focus on “delivery and hope” and telling voters “You’ll be better off in so many ways because you live in Scotland”.

However, the Budget papers show the Legal Aid Fund will be increased by just 3%, despite multi-party support for an urgent uplift in legal aid fees to resolve the ongoing crisis in access to justice.

Law Society of Scotland President Patricia Thom said: “This Budget is a bitter blow for legal aid and access to justice in Scotland. The Finance Secretary speaks about ‘delivery and hope’, yet the Scottish Government has failed on both counts for people who can’t afford the legal help they need.

“MSPs across the political spectrum spoke just last week in the Scottish Parliament about the urgent need for a significant uplift in legal aid fees as vulnerable people find it increasingly difficult to get the legal help they need. Instead, we have a Budget increase that doesn’t even match inflation.

“We’ve consistently highlighted the need for substantial reforms and an urgent fees uplift to put the system back on a viable and sustainable footing. If the Scottish Government cares about access to justice, it cannot afford to ignore this issue until after the election.”

“The Law Society of Scotland will continue to engage with all political parties on this important issue, and to contribute to the recently announced Independent Fee Review Mechanism Group.”