Legal Aid Reform Consultation: Easy Read
The Scottish Government is consulting on a new Legal Aid (Scotland) Bill to modernise the legal aid system and create a simpler, more sustainable and user-focused framework for publicly funded legal assistance.
Open
56 days to respond
What is legal aid?
Legal means to do with the law.
Legal aid is legal help that is paid for by public money. It is for people who need it and cannot afford it. It helps people understand their rights and to fix legal problems.
The work is done by legal professionals. Legal professionals are people who are trained and qualified to help with legal problems.
They can act on any matter of Scottish law, including:
- family law
- housing
- debt
- criminal law.
The Scottish Legal Aid Boardadministers the legal aid system. It pays legal professionals using the Scottish Legal Aid Fund, which is public money.
Administer means look after, make payments and check rules are followed.
In this consultation the Scottish Legal Aid Board is called the Board.
Contact
Email: LegalAidReform@gov.scot