Law Weblog

Legal aid cuts for family cases, legal aid rises for prison inmates

Friday 20 February 2009 at 9:09 am | In News | Post Comment It has been reported this month that to save £6.5million of legal aid the government plans to cut barristers’ fees for legally aided family disputes by up to £150 a case. The cuts would affect cases involving contact with children or where a child lives after a divorce, as well as disputes between couples over money. The total legal aid budget is £2 billion-a-year.
Times report here.

In the same month it was revealed that £19 million of public funds was spent on legal services for prison inmates last year, compared to just £1 million in 2001/02.
The Legal Services Commission, which operates legal aid, blamed rises in legal advice and assistance for inmates, such as over human rights challenges and legal support for prisoners in adjudication hearings such as disciplinary action for those caught with drugs or mobile phones.
Telegraph report here