DOCSLIB.ORG

Legal Aid Agency Framework Document Legal Aid Agency Framework Document

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Legal Aid Agency Framework Document Legal Aid Agency Framework Document Legal Aid Agency Framework Document Legal Aid Agency Framework Document Contents 1 Introduction 4 2 Aims and objectives 5 3 Roles, responsibilities and governance 6 4 Accountability to Parliament 11 5 Finance, performance and reports 12 6 Legal Aid Agency staff 16 7 Audit and assurance 17 8 Provision of corporate services 18 Annex Compliance with government-wide corporate guidance and instructions 22 Legal Aid Agency Framework Document 1 Introduction 1.1 The Legal Aid Agency is an executive agency 1.7 Any departure from the provision of the of the Ministry of Justice (the Department), Framework Document must be agreed in established in 2013. writing on a case-by-case basis between the Permanent Secretary and Chief Executive, if 1.2 The Legal Aid Agency was set up in order appropriate, with the approval of the Lord to support the strategic aims of Ministers Chancellor or delegate, and minister at Her and the Department. Its main aim is to Majesty’s Treasury. commission and administer legal aid services in England and Wales. 1.8 Any questions concerning the interpretation of this Framework Document will be resolved 1.3 This Framework Document sets out by agreement between the Permanent the arrangements for the governance, Secretary and the Chief Executive. accountability, financing, staffing and operation of the Legal Aid Agency, agreed between the Permanent Secretary and the Chief Executive of the Legal Aid Agency with the approval of the Lord Chancellor. 1.4 Copies of this Framework Document and any subsequent amendments will be placed in the libraries of both Houses of Parliament. Copies will be available on the Department’s website. 1.5 This Framework Document will be reviewed formally every three years under arrangements agreed between the Permanent Secretary and the Chief Executive and approved by the Lord Chancellor. It may, however, be reviewed at any other time if they so wish. 1.6 Amendments to this Framework Document must be agreed by the Permanent Secretary and the Chief Executive and approved by the Lord Chancellor or delegate. Major amendments must be agreed by Her Majesty’s Treasury, as required. 4 Legal Aid Agency Framework Document 2 Aims and objectives 2.1 The Legal Aid Agency’s role is to commission and administer legal aid services in England and Wales, taking account of the relevant provisions of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 and the policy and strategy set by ministers and the Department. 2.2 The Legal Aid Agency’s purpose and objectives, as agreed by the Lord Chancellor are set out in the Legal Aid Agency Business Plan. The Business Plan is available online. 5 Legal Aid Agency Framework Document 3 Roles, responsibilities and governance Ministerial Responsibilities The Chief Executive 3.1 The Lord Chancellor will account for the 3.6 The Chief Executive is appointed by the Legal Aid Agency’s business in Parliament Permanent Secretary of the Department, and will determine policy on the availability in consultation with the Lord Chancellor. of legal aid. Remuneration will be agreed in accordance with the performance and reward The Permanent Secretary arrangements for members of the Senior 3.2 The Permanent Secretary is the Civil Service. Departmental Sponsor of the Legal Aid Agency. 3.7 The Chief Executive is accountable to the Permanent Secretary for his or her personal 3.3 The Permanent Secretary advises the Lord performance and through the Permanent Chancellor on how well the Legal Aid Secretary to the Lord Chancellor for the Agency is performing. performance of the Legal Aid Agency. The Chief Executive will sit on the Department’s 3.4 The Permanent Secretary’s responsibilities Executive Management Committee of the include: Board. endorsing Legal Aid Agency Corporate 3.8 The Chief Executive is responsible for the and Business Plans before they are leadership of the Legal Aid Agency and its submitted to the Lord Chancellor, and day-to-day operations and management. ensuring the Legal Aid Agency conforms to departmental policy and has the 3.9 The Chief Executive is responsible for delegations and authorities necessary effective leadership of the Legal Aid for effective delivery and continuous Agency, ensuring robust planning and improvement. sound financial management. These responsibilities include: 3.5 The Permanent Secretary is also the Principal Accounting Officer (PAO) of the efficient and cost-effective management Department. The PAO is accountable to of the Legal Aid Agency so as to ensure Parliament for the public funds delegated to it achieves its outcomes the Chief Executive of the Legal Aid Agency. effective leadership to the staff of the The PAO also advises the Lord Chancellor on: Legal Aid Agency preparing the Legal Aid Agency’s how well the Legal Aid Agency is strategy and Business Plans, ensuring achieving its strategic objectives and that they reflect departmental policy whether it is delivering value for money and strategy how the Legal Aid Agency’s strategic developing structures which assign aims and objectives contribute to the responsibilities and accountabilities Department’s wider strategy and in such a way that the Legal Aid priorities, and Agency can effectively deliver its an appropriate budget for the Legal Aid separate commissioning and delivery Agency in the light of Department’s responsibilities within the delegated overall public expenditure priorities. allocation 6 Legal Aid Agency Framework Document ensuring robust financial planning and The Chief Executive as Accounting Officer a full understanding of the costs of the 3.12 The Chief Executive is designated as the Legal Aid Agency’s activities Legal Aid Agency Accounting Officer ensuring that the Legal Aid Agency and (AO) by the PAO of the Department, with the providers it commissions comply responsibilities as set out in Chapter 3 of fully with all relevant legislative and Managing Public Money, and is accountable corporate governance requirements, and to the PAO and to Parliament for those supporting the Director of Legal Aid responsibilities. Casework’s role where these are held by seperate individuals, in making 3.13 In the event that the Legal Aid Agency determinations in individual legal aid decides to delegate activities within its cases. In supporting the Director of remit to external providers, whether they Legal Aid Casework in this role, the Chief be public sector or private providers, the Executive must ensure that he or she AO shall ensure that such delegation is does not compromise the independence subject to a robust governance regime, of the Director in decision making in an evidenced in a statement of accountability. individual case. 3.14 In providing the Statement of 3.10 The Chief Executive will advise the Lord Accountability the AO shall ensure that any Chancellor through the Permanent such regime is supported by a process of Secretary on matters relating to the regular review and monitoring, to ensure operational delivery of ministerial and that governance arrangements are current departmental policies on legal aid and fit for purpose. operations. The Chief Executive will retain a standing right of access to the relevant Delegation of duties Minister. Any urgent matters or difficulties 3.15 The Chief Executive may delegate the arising in the relationships or responsibilities day-to-day administration of his or her between the Department and the Legal Aid AO responsibilities to other employees in Agency will be escalated, as appropriate, the Legal Aid Agency and/or other public for discussion between the Permanent or private organisations. However, he or Secretary and the Chief Executive. she shall not assign absolutely to any other person any of the responsibilities set out in 3.11 If the Chief Executive does not also hold the this document. office of the Director of Legal Aid Casework (see paragraph 3.19 below), the Chief Responsibilities for accounting to Parliament Executive is responsible for supporting the 3.16 As AO, the Chief Executive’s responsibilities Director of Legal Aid Casework’s role in to Parliament include: making determinations in individual legal aid cases. In supporting the Director of signing the accounts and ensuring Legal Aid Casework in this role, the Chief they are prepared according to the Executive must ensure that he or she does not requirements set out in this document compromise the independence of the Director signing a Statement of Accounting in decision making in an individual case. Officer’s responsibilities and a Governance Statement for inclusion in the Legal Aid Agency annual report and accounts 7 Legal Aid Agency Framework Document ensuring that effective procedures for The Director of Legal Aid Casework handling complaints about the Legal Aid 3.19 Determinations in individual legal aid Agency are established and made widely cases will be made by a statutory office known within the organisation holder, a civil servant designated by acting in accordance with the terms of the Lord Chancellor as the Director this document, Managing Public Money of Legal Aid Casework under section and other instructions and guidance 4 of the Legal Aid Sentencing and issued from time to time by the Punishment of Offenders (LASPO) Act Department, Her Majesty’s Treasury and 2012. Under section 4(3) of the LASPO the Cabinet Office, and Act 2012 the Director must comply giving evidence, normally with the PAO, with the directions given by the Lord when summoned before the Public Chancellor about the carrying out of Accounts Committee (PAC) on the Legal the Director’s function under the Act, Aid Agency’s stewardship of public funds. and must have regard to guidance given by the Lord Chancellor about Responsibilities to the Department the carrying out of those functions. 3.17 The Chief Executive’s particular However, under section 4(4) of the responsibilities include informing and LASPO Act 2012 the Lord Chancellor agreeing with the Department regarding: must not give a direction or guidance about the carrying out of the Director’s progress in helping to achieve its policy functions in relation to an individual objectives and in demonstrating how legal aid application.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Legal Aid: the Review of by Terry Mcguinness
    BRIEFING PAPER Number 43720, 7 May 2020 Legal Aid: the review of By Terry McGuinness LASPO Part 1 Contents: 1. Background 2. Changes to the scope of civil and family legal aid 3. Changes to the eligibility criteria for civil and family legal aid 4. Fee changes in civil and family legal aid 5. Changes to criminal legal aid 6. Changes to experts’ fees 7. The creation of the Legal Aid Agency 8. Reaction to the review www.parliament.uk/commons-library | intranet.parliament.uk/commons-library | [email protected] | @commonslibrary 2 Legal Aid: the review of LASPO Part 1 Contents Summary 3 1. Background 6 2. Changes to the scope of civil and family legal aid 8 2.1 Civil legal aid 8 Actions against the police/ claims against public authorities 9 Clinical negligence 9 Immigration 10 Personal injury 11 Education 12 Social welfare law 13 Consumer law 15 Public law 15 Miscellaneous 16 Civil legal advice telephone gateway 16 Exceptional case funding 18 2.2 Private family legal aid 19 3. Changes to the eligibility criteria for civil and family legal aid 22 3.1 Applying capital eligibility test to all legal aid applicants 22 3.2 Increasing Income Contributions for Contributory Clients 23 3.3 Capping the subject matter of dispute (SMOD) disregard at £100,000 24 3.4 Removing legal aid in cases with ‘borderline’ prospects of success 24 4. Fee changes in civil and family legal aid 26 5. Changes to criminal legal aid 28 5.1 Effect of remuneration changes 28 5.2 Prison law scope changes 30 5.3 Eligibility changes 31 6.
    [Show full text]
  • Legal Services Commission Annual Report and Accounts 2012-13
    Legal Services Commission Annual Report and Accounts 2012-13 HC337 Legal Services Commission Annual Report and Accounts 2012-13 Report presented to Parliament pursuant to Schedule 1, paragraph 14 (3) of the Access to Justice Act 1999 and section 38 (3) of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012. Accounts presented to Parliament pursuant to Schedule 1, paragraph 16 (4) of the Access to Justice Act 1999 and section 38 (4) of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012. Ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 25 June 2013. HC337 London: The Stationery Office £30.00 © Crown copyright 2013 You may re-use this information (excluding logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ or e-mail: [email protected]. Where we have identified any third party copyright material you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned. Any enquiries regarding this publication should be sent to us at the Legal Aid Agency, 102 Petty France, London, SW1H 9AJ . You can download this publication from http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/corporate-reports/legal-services-commission. ISBN: 9780102983395 Printed in the UK by The Stationery Office Limited on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office ID 2558893 07/13 Printed on paper containing 75% recycled fibre content minimum. Annual Report and Accounts 2012-13 1 Contents Chair’s review 2 Chief Executive’s statement 4 About the Legal Services Commission 6 The year in focus 9 Our performance 18 Financial reports 22 2 Legal Services Commission Chair’s review changes would mean and events were organised at Chair venues across England and Wales in 2012.
    [Show full text]
  • The State of Legal Services 2020 Evidence Compendium
    Evidence Compendium THE STATE OF LEGAL SERVICES 2020 CONTENTS 1. Framework and data sources 4 Our approach 5 Data sources 6 2. Environmental context and drivers of change 8 Data from LSB’s Covid-19 dashboard 12 3. Access to legal services for all 14 Summary 15 Snapshot of legal needs 16 Unmet need and barriers to access 19 Legal capability 22 Advice seeking 24 Perceived accessibility of the justice system 26 Paying for legal services 30 Public funding and health of the third sector 33 4. Competition working for consumers 40 Summary 41 Shopping around on price and quality 42 Comparison tools 48 Price competition 49 Levels of innovation and technology adoption 53 Unregulated market 58 The State of Legal Services 2020 § Evidence Compendium § 3 5. Regulation that commands public and professional confidence 62 Summary 63 Quality of legal services 64 Seeking redress 70 Professional conduct 75 Perceptions of legal professionals 82 Regulation: awareness and general public confidence 84 Confidence in the legal system 85 Independence of the legal system 88 6. A diverse and inclusive profession 92 Summary 93 Introduction 94 Availability of data 95 Protected characteristics 96 Socio-economic background 108 Mental health and wellbeing 113 Diversity of judiciary 115 7. A successful and sustainable profession 118 Summary 119 Snapshot of sector 120 Alternative business structures and external investment 123 Economic health of sector 125 The impact of Covid-19 127 Legal aid sector 130 Cost of regulation 132 International standing of jurisdiction 136 8. Endnotes 140 1. FRAMEWORK AND DATA SOURCES The State of Legal Services 2020 § Evidence Compendium § 5 Our approach 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Implementing Reforms to Civil Legal Aid
    Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General Ministry of Justice and Legal Aid Agency Implementing reforms to civil legal aid HC 784 SESSION 2014-15 20 NOVEMBER 2014 Our vision is to help the nation spend wisely. Our public audit perspective helps Parliament hold government to account and improve public services. The National Audit Office scrutinises public spending for Parliament and is independent of government. The Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG), Sir Amyas Morse KCB, is an Officer of the House of Commons and leads the NAO, which employs some 820 employees. The C&AG certifies the accounts of all government departments and many other public sector bodies. He has statutory authority to examine and report to Parliament on whether departments and the bodies they fund have used their resources efficiently, effectively, and with economy. Our studies evaluate the value for money of public spending, nationally and locally. Our recommendations and reports on good practice help government improve public services, and our work led to audited savings of £1.1 billion in 2013. Ministry of Justice and Legal Aid Agency Implementing reforms to civil legal aid Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General Ordered by the House of Commons to be printed on 19 November 2014 This report has been prepared under Section 6 of the National Audit Act 1983 for presentation to the House of Commons in accordance with Section 9 of the Act Sir Amyas Morse KCB Comptroller and Auditor General National Audit Office 17 November 2014 HC 784 | £10.00 This report examines whether the Legal Aid Agency’s implementation of the Ministry of Justice’s reforms to civil legal aid, as set out in the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012, provides value for money.
    [Show full text]
  • Legal Aid Reforms
    Research Service Quick Guide Legal Aid reforms Quick Guide December 2013 Introduction This Quick Guide focuses on the current civil Legal Aid system in England and Wales following changes implemented in April 2013. Some proposals in relation to criminal Legal Aid are also discussed. Legal Aid is the public funding of legal costs. There are separate schemes for civil Legal Aid and criminal Legal Aid. Responsibility for the Legal Aid system is not devolved to Wales. The coalition agreement between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats at Westminster in 2010 included a commitment to carry out a fundamental review of Legal Aid to make it work more efficiently.1 This led to a consultation in November 2010 which outlined the government’s proposals for changes to civil Legal Aid.2 At that point, no proposals were made for the reform of criminal Legal Aid. The 2010 consultation document proposed reducing the areas of law for which assistance was available, changes to eligibility criteria and a cut in fees payable to providers (solicitors etc.) for Legal Aid work. The UK Government stated at the time that it believed Legal Aid had expanded far beyond its original intentions and was available for a wide range of issues, many of which in its opinion need not be resolved through the courts.3 The proposals were set to save £350 million from the £2 billion annual Legal Aid budget.4 Commenting on the proposals in a House of Commons statement on 21 June 2011, the then Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Kenneth Clarke QC MP, noted that
    [Show full text]
  • Guidance on Authorities and Legal Aid for Cases in Courts Outside England and Wales
    Guidance on authorities and legal aid for cases in courts outside England and Wales Version: Issue date: Last review date: Owned by: 6 January 2021 January 2021 Central Legal Team Version History Version: Date Reason August 1 2013 Update contact details and minor explanatory addition to 2 April 2014 paragraph 1.6 September Update to reflect judgment of the Court of Appeal in Re: 3 2014 JG August Update to reflect contact details for cross border funding 4 2016 applications August 5 Update to include reference to 2018 Contract 2018 January Update to reflect EU exit changes 6 2021 January 2021 Guidance on authorities and legal aid for cases in courts outside England and Wales Page | 2 Contents 1. Authorities 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Authority for Counsel 1.3 Factors taken into account in relation to authorities for counsel 1.4 Employment of Experts 1.5 Legally aided clients’ Travel Costs and Other Expenses 1.6 Joint Instructions and Apportionment Generally 1.7 Residential treatments; treatment, therapy and training and related expenses 1.8 Public Law Children Act Cases 1.9 Contact centre fees 2. Funding for Cases in Courts Outside England and Wales 2.1 Functions of the Director 2.2 The European Court of Human Rights 2.3 The European Court of Justice 2.4 The Strasbourg Agreement 1977 2.5 Transmission of Applications between Jurisdictions January 2021 Guidance on authorities and legal aid for cases in courts outside England and Wales Page | 3 1. Authorities 1.1 Introduction 1. For cases and matters under the 2018 Standard Civil Contract, applications for prior authority are governed by Paragraphs 5.10, 5.11, 6.59(d) and 6.60(b).
    [Show full text]
  • Legal Aid: What's in Scope?
    Legal Aid: What’s in scope? This guidance has been produced by Vicky Ling and LawWorks. Vicky Ling has managed a CAB and a Law Centre. She was one of the first managers recruited by the former Legal Aid Board to implement its quality assurance standards at the inception of ‘franchising’. For 20 years she has been an independent consultant specialising in all aspects of legal practice management. Contents Overview of the legal aid scheme .............................................................................. 1 Scope ......................................................................................................................... 3 Exceptional case funding ........................................................................................... 6 Eligibility for civil legal aid – means and merits .......................................................... 7 Additional resources ................................................................................................. 10 Scope table .............................................................................................................. 11 Overview of the legal aid scheme Legal Aid was first created as part of the development of the welfare state, following World War 2. It was administered by the Law Society until the Legal Aid Board was created in the late 1980s. From 2000 to April 2013, legal aid was administered by the Legal Services Commission (LSC). It was replaced by the Legal Aid Agency (LAA), an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice on 1 April 2013.
    [Show full text]
  • The Sentencing Code – Impact Assessment
    Title: Sentencing Impact Assessment (IA) IA No: LAWCOM0059 RPC Reference No: Date: 01/01/2016 Lead department or agency: Stage: Consultation Law Commission Source of intervention: Domestic Other departments or agencies: Type of measure: Primary legislation Ministry of Justice Contact for enquiries: [email protected] Summary: Intervention and Options RPC Opinion: RPC Opinion Status Cost of Preferred (or more likely) Option Total Net Business Net Net cost to business per One-In, Business Impact Target Present Value Present Value year (EANDCB in 2014 prices) Three-Out Status £255.57m £m £m Not in scope Qualifying provision What is the problem under consideration? Why is government intervention necessary? The law governing sentencing procedure has undergone a substantial and significant degree of change over the past 30 years and has become overwhelmingly complex and disparate. The current provisions governing sentencing procedure run to over 1300 pages, with provisions contained in Acts as varied as the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 and the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. In practice, many sentencing determinations require the judge to have reference to overlapping, technical and complex sentencing regimes alongside the current law. Practitioners and the judiciary reported to us that they find it complex and difficult to understand the current law. This leads to delay, costly appeals and the imposition of many unlawful sentences. Government intervention is required to simplify and streamline the law in this area so as to ensure that it is accessible and avoid undue errors and delays. What are the policy objectives and the intended effects? The policy objectives are: (1) to ensure the law in relation to sentencing procedure is readily comprehensible, and operates within a clear framework; (2) to increase public confidence in the criminal justice system; (3) to ensure the criminal justice system operates as efficiently as possible.
    [Show full text]
  • Manifesto for Legal Aid
    MANIFESTO FOR LEGAL AID Legal Aid Practitioners Group 2nd edition 2017 Manifesto for Legal Aid © Legal Aid Practitioners Group, 2017 Published by Legal Aid Pactitioners Group Typeset in Adobe Gramond Pro 10.5 pt and Siseriff LT Distribution by Legal Aid Practitioners Group 12 Baylis Road, London SE1 7AA 020 7833 7431 [email protected] www.lapg.co.uk MANIFESTO FOR LEGAL AID Legal Aid Practitioners Group Manifesto for Legal Aid 2 The Legal Aid Practitioners Group - 2017 Contents Executive summary 4 About LAPG 7 Chapter 1. Overview of the current state of the justice system 8 Chapter 2. The need for early advice 11 Chapter 3. Restricting scope – a cut too far 14 Chapter 4. Financial eligibility – fairness and cost reduction 20 Chapter 5. Independence and transparency of decision making 23 Chapter 6. Simplification of the legal aid scheme and the move to digital working 27 Chapter 7. Delivery of legal aid services – efficient operation of the system now, and in the future 30 Chapter 8. Specific problems by category of law 38 ■ Actions against the state (formerly, actions against the police, etc) 38 ■ Clinical negligence 38 ■ Community care 39 ■ Crime 39 ■ Debt 41 ■ Education (including special educational needs) 41 ■ Employment 42 ■ Family (including domestic abuse) 42 ■ Housing 44 ■ Immigration and asylum 45 ■ Inquests 46 ■ Judicial review (public law) 47 ■ Mental capacity 48 ■ Mental health 50 ■ Prison law 51 ■ Welfare benefits 51 3 Manifesto for Legal Aid Executive summary We live in extraordinary times, where the justice system is broken and the rule of law is at real risk.
    [Show full text]
  • Lord Chancellor's Guidance Under Section 4 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012
    August 2021 LORD CHANCELLOR’S GUIDANCE UNDER SECTION 4 OF THE LEGAL AID, SENTENCING AND PUNISHMENT OF OFFENDERS ACT 2012 Document Ref: LCG-S4 Version: 1/2021 Issue Date: 4 August 2021 Produced by: Civil and Family Legal Aid Policy Team Contact details: [email protected] 1 1. Background and Introduction ...................................................................................... 4 2. Delegation ................................................................................................................... 7 3. Applications covered by the Regulations..................................................................... 8 4. Merits, Costs and Damages ........................................................................................ 9 4.1 Prospects of Success (MR 4) .................................................................... 9 4.2 Cost Benefit .................................................................................................. 11 5. Convention Rights ..................................................................................................... 16 6. Forms of Civil Legal Services .................................................................................... 17 How forms of civil legal service are provided and delegated authority ............... 18 Connection between forms of civil legal service ................................................. 18 Division between Legal Help and Legal Representation .................................... 19 Boundary between Legal Help and investigative
    [Show full text]
  • User Guide to Legal Aid Statistics, England and Wales
    User Guide to Legal Aid Statistics, England and Wales Ministry of Justice statistics These statistics are derived from data held by the Legal Aid Agency, produced by the Ministry of Justice’s Legal Aid Statistics team and published by the Ministry of Justice. Last updated 30 September 2021 1 Contents Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 3 Background to the legal aid system ....................................................................................... 4 Criminal legal aid ........................................................................................................... 5 Central Funds ................................................................................................................ 5 Civil legal aid ................................................................................................................. 6 Appeals and representations ......................................................................................... 8 Legal aid providers ........................................................................................................ 9 Legal aid case studies ......................................................................................................... 11 Recent reforms to the legal aid system ............................................................................... 13 LASPO Act 2012 ........................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • 2021 05 07 Independent Review of Criminal Legal Aid
    1 Ardleigh Road London N1 4HS Tel: 020 7249 7373 Fax: 020 7249 7788 Email: [email protected] Web: www.howardleague.org Howard League for Penal Reform’s response to the Independent Review of Criminal Legal Aid’s Call for Evidence May 2021 Summary 1. The Howard League welcomes the opportunity to provide evidence to the Independent Review of Criminal Legal Aid’s Call for Evidence. This submission is focused on our legal expertise which includes prison law and criminal appeal work for children and young adults. 2. The prison population is projected to increase significantly over the next five years. People in prison are extremely vulnerable to abuses of power and few can afford to pay for representation: publicly funded legal advice and representation act as essential safeguards. 3. The current rigid system of fixed and standard fees encourages unsustainable working practices at the expense of quality and practitioner wellbeing. It has led to a dramatic fall in the number of firms willing to do prison law and fresh appeal work. 4. The very low levels of legal aid funding for fresh criminal appeals further undermine fairness and trust in the criminal justice system. The recent Post Office cases illustrate that the remedial power of the Court of Appeal to correct injustice is as essential as ever. As more people receive custodial sentences, it is essential that they are supported to challenge excessive sentences and miscarriages of justice. 5. The current criminal legal aid system does not meet the needs of people in prison, victims, or the public. The Government should ensure that professionals and people in prison are working towards rehabilitation from day one by bringing sentence planning and access to Offending Behaviour Courses back into the scope of legal aid.
    [Show full text]