Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateLord Woolf
Main Page: Lord Woolf (Crossbench - Life Peer (judicial))Department Debates - View all Lord Woolf's debates with the Scotland Office
(8 years ago)
Lords ChamberWith particular reference to proceedings concerning children, I point out that legal aid remains available where most needed. Indeed, legal aid was provided for in over 54,000 proceedings last year under the special Children Act.
Does the Minister accept that what is happening in regard to legal aid is damaging the reputation of our justice system and that judges up and down the country are finding it difficult to administer justice? One interpretation of the way the vote on Brexit took place is that it indicated that the public are very concerned about British justice; will that factor be taken into account in determining when the review that has been promised takes place?
We retain full confidence in the British judicial system, which is a world leader without any question of doubt. As regards the provision of legal aid, of course it is important, but it remains available where it is most needed, having regard to the financial demands that fall upon the country in more areas than just legal aid.