Constitutional Affairs Select Committee Inquiry into Legal Aid
By: Patrick South Published: January 2004
Shelter submitted evidence (January 2004) to the Constitutional Affairs Committee's Inquiry into legal aid. This inquiry arrives against a background of growing concern about access to publicly funded legal advice and representation.
Summary
Shelter welcomes the Constitutional Affairs Committee's inquiry into legal aid. The availability of high quality publicly funded legal and advice services is essential to meet the Government's objective of increasing access to justice. In our experience, poor access to advice and legal representation means that people are often unaware of their rights and how to enforce them and do not get the help they need to resolve their problems.
The issues addressed in this briefing include:
- 'advice deserts'
- remuneration for legal aid work
- alternative methods of dispute resolution.
