MSP inquiry confirms urgent need for fees uplift and civil legal aid reform

A parliamentary inquiry has strongly backed the Law Society of Scotland’s calls for the Scottish Government to urgently increase civil legal aid fees and pursue reforms to restore access to justice.

The Report on the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee inquiry into Civil Legal Assistance in Scotland was published this morning, after a six-month investigation by MSPs.

The committee has urged the Scottish Government to urgently “proceed with reforms to increase fees paid to legal practitioners”, and for further measures to be pursued as soon as possible including primary legislation to reform the civil legal aid system.

Law Society of Scotland President Patricia Thom said: “We thank the committee’s members for their diligent work in examining the perilous state of civil legal aid in Scotland, and for calling for urgent and sensible changes to restore access to justice. We're thankful also to all parties who contributed to this inquiry.

“This report unequivocally confirms our longstanding warnings that legal aid in Scotland is in crisis. MSPs have called out the existence of legal aid deserts and unacceptable administrative and other hurdles for people to get the legal help they need.

“The Scottish Government must now respond with an urgent uplift for civil legal aid fees, and indeed for criminal matters as well, and also facilitate changes to reduce the administrative burden and uncertainty for people seeking legal aid support.

“Legal aid will be a key priority for the Law Society leading up to next year’s Holyrood elections. This report shows that MSPs across the political spectrum recognise that action is needed to restore access to justice.”