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Criminal legal aid
02/11/2007
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill today announced an increase in legal aid fees for solemn criminal cases from April 2008.
The increase is to be brought in alongside substantial reforms to the structure of legal aid, and is the equivalent of a seven per cent increase against the current fee levels.
Taken alongside previous increases this represents an overall rise in fee levels of 25 per cent since the new system of fees was introduced in 1992.
At a conference in Dunblane, Mr MacAskill said:
"Scotland's legal profession provides an essential service, helping people at times of crisis, protecting their rights and helping businesses to grow.
"The work the profession does in advising, assisting and representing clients who could not afford to pay for the services is a vital part of increasing access to justice for all.
"This Government is committed to ensuring that solicitors are paid appropriately and fairly for the work they do.
"We have already made improvements in legal aid fees for work involving adults with incapacity and vulnerable witnesses and have improved fees for some undefended actions in the Sheriff Court.
"This increase in legal aid fees for solemn cases is long overdue and is a tangible example of this Government's commitment to the legal profession."
There have been two increases in solemn fees since 1992, when the current system was introduced. In June 2004, increases in fees were brought in for work done on or after June 28, 2004 - a rise of 15 per cent for advocacy fees and five per cent for waiting time and meetings with a client.
In December 2005, increases in fees were backdated for all work done on or after December 1, 2005. The increases represented eight per cent for advocacy work and twelve per cent for other work.
The additional cost to the Legal Aid Fund of the latest increase is estimated at 1.8 million pounds per annum. This increase would add 8.6 per cent to the overall spend on solicitors' solemn fees against expenditure in 2006-07.