AQW 19207/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 03/12/2024
Answered On Date: 16/12/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Justice for her assessment on access to justice if solicitors and barristers refuse to take forward criminal and civil legal aid cases, particularly in cases relating to domestic abuse.

Answer:

While I understand the concerns which have driven recent strike action by members of the professions, withdrawal of services causes delay and delay impacts most acutely on witnesses and the victims who are waiting to receive justice and protection. The strike action was also precipitous. The continuing ongoing investment in the system is considerable. The legal aid budget at the start of the financial year was the highest opening allocation in the history of the legal aid scheme. That follows a spend of £114m last year and I secured additional funding in the June and October monitoring rounds which means we are on track to meet that spend again this year. I have also announced a significant uplift in fees for advice and representation in criminal and civil and family cases. I would hope the professions would take cognisance of that investment and that there will be no further unnecessary adverse impact on the victims and witnesses waiting to receive justice.