MSPs told of hard times for justice as legal aid deserts grow

Law Society President Susan Murray and Legal Aid Committee Co-convener Pat Thom

Legal aid deserts continue to grow as solicitors working on civil matters abandon the system, the Law Society of Scotland has warned a parliamentary inquiry.

The assessment is contained in the Law Society’s submission to an inquiry into civil legal assistance by the Scottish Parliament’s Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee.

The submission advocates for increases in legal aid rates for civil legal aid work, and for changes to reduce the administrative burden and payment delays when dealing with the Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB).

Law Society of Scotland President Susan Murray said: “We are grateful for this opportunity to provide MSPs with evidence on the state of civil legal aid provision in Scotland. Our submission makes clear the scale of the legal aid crisis and the negative impact that is having on clients and solicitors.

“The evidence we have submitted shows why action is urgently required from the Scottish Government to begin the restoration process, so Scotland once again has a properly functioning legal aid system.”

The Co-convener of the Law Society’s Legal Aid Committee, Pat Thom, said: “Our submission outlines in considerable detail how the current legal aid system is failing people who need help with traumatic legal situations in relation to their housing, relationships and work.

“The Law Society is contacted on a daily basis by people who’ve exhausted all possible options trying to find a solicitor to represent them. These reports show that Scotland’s legal aid deserts are growing as lawyers reduce the amount of legal aid work they do or stop altogether.

“We’ve advised the committee of the changes required to restore the system, including increased legal aid payment rates and improvements to reduce the red tape of dealing with SLAB and the often-lengthy wait to be paid.”