Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 26 February 2018 to Question 128419, on the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012, on what date the post-implementation review is planned to be completed; and what the reasons are for the review not meeting its original timetable.

The Government is currently undertaking a post-implementation review of the impact of the legal aid changes made under LASPO and is committed to publishing the findings by the end of this year. On 7 March the Lord Chancellor announced the beginning of the engagement phase of the review. The first meetings of consultative groups are convening this week in order to provide evidence which will inform the review process.

It is important we take the time to deliver the review with the necessary analytical rigour that such an important piece of legislation deserves.