Department publishes response to Legal Aid report
The Department of Justice has today published its response to the Public Accounts Committee report on Managing Criminal Legal Aid.
~ Thursday, 26 January 2012
Since being elected Justice Minister, I have taken forward a programme of reform in this area which is beginning to make a difference to how criminal legal aid is used in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland Department of Justice
Published last November, the report came after Justice Minister David Ford had already initiated sweeping reforms of criminal legal aid, realising annual savings in excess of £18 million.
David Ford said: “In many respects, the report by the Public Accounts Committee reminds us and shines a light on a number of flaws in the criminal legal aid system before the devolution of justice powers.
“Since being elected Justice Minister, I have taken forward a programme of reform in this area which is beginning to make a difference to how criminal legal aid is used in Northern Ireland.
“I have accepted all of the recommendations in the report and have already taken action to address the issues highlighted. While I am not suggesting that all the problems have been solved, substantial progress has been made and further reforms are planned.”
In addition to changes to Crown Court legal aid rates, the Minister removed the Very High Cost Cases (VHCC) category.
David Ford has issued a Ministerial Direction to the Taxing Master to ensure that legacy VHCC claims are assessed strictly in accordance with the legislation.
He said: “The Justice Committee will soon be considering my proposal to give the Legal Services Commission the power to recover the cost of legal aid in cases where convicted defendants clearly have the means to pay for their own defence.
“While legal aid will be there to ensure that defendants receive the legal assistance they require, it is right that those who commit crime should refund the cost of their defence where they can.
“A review of legal aid for cases in the Magistrates’ Courts is also underway and I hope to publish proposals for further reform shortly. A review of the new Crown Court legal aid fees will be carried out in early 2013.
“While not the subject of this PAC report, I am also planning to reform legal aid arrangements in civil cases, where some similar problems exist. I am currently considering responses to consultation on the final report of the Access to Justice review, and will set out proposals for future reform in my formal response to that report.”
Notes to editors
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