Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Insider UK
Insider UK
Business
Neil Pooran & Peter A Walker

Solicitors make £11 million legal aid fee deal with Scottish Government

Groups representing solicitors have agreed an £11m deal with the Scottish Government which increases legal aid fees.

The Scottish Solicitors Bar Association (SSBA) and the Law Society have accepted a deal which changes the structure of legal aid payments.

The new system will come into force in April, aiming to reduce the number of hearings.

Lawyers groups have long been arguing for increased legal aid payments.

In April last year, the dispute led to SSBA members announcing they would boycott certain domestic abuse cases.

Community Safety Minister Elena Whitham said: “Scotland’s legal aid system is a vital lifeline to justice for many thousands of people and is one of the best systems in Europe, which is a testament to the hard work and dedication of participating lawyers, the Scottish Legal Aid Board and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

“I want to thank members of the Law Society of Scotland and the Scottish Solicitors Bar Association for working with us to reach an agreement that represents a genuine and credible offer of funding.

“A review mechanism for legal aid fees in the future will ensure the ongoing sustainability of Scotland’s legal aid system - we will continue to work with the legal profession and wider stakeholders, to ensure confidence in this process.”

Don't miss the latest headlines with our twice-daily newsletter - sign up here for free.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.