Views are being sought on plans to reform the legal aid system,
improving the service for the people who use it and the
professionals who deliver it.
The Legal Aid Reform consultation sets out wide-ranging proposals
to modernise the system, paving the way for a new Legal Aid
(Scotland) Bill.
Legal aid provides publicly funded assistance to help people
pursue or defend their civil legal rights or receive support with
their legal defence when they could not otherwise afford to do
so.
Proposals include simplifying processes, reducing duplication to
support quicker decision making, improving access for those who
use legal aid and providing greater autonomy for accredited
solicitors.
Scotland's legal aid system currently supports around 170,000
grants each year, with total expenditure reaching £169 million in
2024-25 the highest ever annual spend on legal aid in Scotland.
The proposals build on a significant actions already under way,
including a 13% increase in solicitor fees which will come into
force in September, reforms to children's and criminal legal aid
which will be in place by the end of the year, a new £1.5 million
Legal Aid Traineeship Fund supporting up to 40 trainees across
Scotland and the establishment of the Independent Fee Review
Mechanism Group, which is considering the longer-term changes
needed to create a legal assistance system fit for the 21st
century.
Minister for Victims and Community Safety said:
At its heart, this is about building a legal aid system that
works better for the people who rely on it and the professionals
who deliver it.
The proposed reforms build on work already underway and align
with our wider programme of Public Service Reform, focusing on
efficiency, value for money and improved outcomes through more
streamlined and effective services.
This consultation marks an important step in shaping the future
of legal aid informed by the experience of those who rely on the
system and the expertise of those who deliver it. I encourage all
those with an interest to share their views.
Together, we can build a legal aid system that is fairer, more
accessible and fit for the future.
Background
The Reforming Legal Aid
consultation will run until 13 October 2026
The Scottish Legal Aid Board's latest annual report and
accounts were published on 31 October 2025
The consultation builds on the Scottish Government's Legal Aid Reform Discussion
Paper published in February 2025 and the independent Evans Review of 2018
Scotland's legal aid system is currently governed by the Legal
Aid (Scotland) Act 1986.
