Constitutional Affairs Select Committee Inquiry into Legal Aid

By: Patrick South
Published: January 2004

Constitutional Affairs Select Committee Inquiry into Legal Aid

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.