Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many firms of solicitors held (a) a civil and (b) a criminal legal aid contract as of 1 December 2020.
Please note for the figures provided that some firms may have more than one office. There are currently 1,122 firms who hold a Criminal Legal Aid Contract. There are currently 1,460 firms who hold a Civil Legal Aid Contract. This data is correct as at 14 December 2020.
The Legal Aid Agency frequently reviews market capacity to make sure there is adequate provision around the country and moves quickly to ensure provision where gaps may appear.