Counsel Magazine

The Ministry of Justice has announced plans to re-focus legal aid away from low value damages claims against public bodies or “hopeless” judicial reviews.

Before legal aid is granted in divorce and child contact disputes, the LSC will contact opponents to check applicants’ eligibility. Access to civil legal aid for non-residents will be restricted. Legal aid minister, Lord Bach said the changes would be introduced in April 2010. A consultation, “Legal Aid: Refocusing on Priority Cases”, took place last year.