SLAB consults about A&A and ABWOR policies

The Scottish Legal Aid Board is seeking views from the legal profession and others in a consultation about the provision of advice and assistance ("A&A") and assistance by way of representation ("ABWOR") across the full range of civil, criminal and children’s cases.

SLAB has been reviewing its operational policies in relation to A&A and invites comments on how these policies are working and lawyers' experiences of providing A&A generally.

There are a large number of policy areas within A&A across the three legal aid types: in some, solicitors are responsible for making decisions, rather than SLAB, and SLAB is keen to understand how the current system is working for solicitors.

No specific changes to policy are proposed as yet, but SLAB hopes to gain insight into any concerns with its current practices (including any unanticipated consequences) as well as changes that it could consider in future.

It is also interested in any impacts for equality groups that it ought to be considering.

The consultations form part of SLAB's Guidance on the Administration of Legal Aid (GALA) project and follow work with the Scottish Government to agree a programme of work that can give effect to some of the themes set out in the Government’s consultation on reforming legal aid.

Find the consultation here. It closes at 5pm on Monday 6 November 2023. Any questions can be sent to consultations@slab.org.uk.