By refocusing some legal aid expenditure we believe we can greatly improve and strengthen these arrangements. In any society it is important to ensure that there are adequate and effective means for citizens to resolve civil disputes which they may have with other citizens about matters affecting their civil rights and also to secure for those citizens available remedies. The responsibility to do this includes ensuring that citizens have access to such procedures as are appropriate for the disputes with which they are concerned. Publicly funded legal aid is one way of providing such access. We are committed to maintaining access to justice while at the same time obtaining better value for the money paid from the legal aid fund.
Family actions account for half the civil legal aid budget.
The purpose of this paper is not to discuss family law generally. However, we are concerned that legal aid should be properly targeted and should promote as far as possible amicable and negotiated settlements between couples particularly where children are involved. We are concerned about access to justice for those of limited means. The paper considers whether the means test for civil legal aid and the current contributions system can be adjusted to ensure that those who are genuinely in need of financial help can benefit from legal aid. In all this, value for money is a key issue.