Open consultation Consultation on Improving Impact and Value for Money by Reforming Merits and Scope of Legal Aid

Summary

The Department of Justice has launched a public consultation process as part of the Enabling Access to Justice Reform Programme.

Documents

• Consultation on Improving the Value and Impact by Reforming the Merits and Scope of Legal Aid Adobe PDF (997 KB)
• Questionnaire - Improving Impact and Value for Money by Reforming Legal Aid Merits and Scope Adobe PDF (466 KB)
• Equality Screening - Improving Impact and Value for Money by Reforming Legal Aid Merits and Scope Adobe PDF (229 KB)
• Child Rights Impact Assessment - Improving Impact and Value for Money by Reforming Legal Aid Merits and Scope Adobe PDF (184 KB)
• Regulatory Impact Screening - Improving Impact and Value for Money by Reforming Legal Aid Merits and Scope Adobe PDF (284 KB)
• Rural Need Impact Assessment - Improving Impact and Value for Money by Reforming Legal Aid Merits and Scope Adobe PDF (322 KB)
• Data Protection Impact Assessment - Improving Impact and Value for Money by Reforming Legal Aid Merits and Scope Adobe PDF (299 KB)
• Human Rights Impact Assessment - Improving Impact and Value for Money by Reforming Legal Aid Merits and Scope Adobe PDF (169 KB)

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Consultation description

We are seeking your views on a range of legal aid reforms proposed by the Minister of Justice. The legal aid reforms are aimed at focusing legal aid funding, broadening access to legal services for a wider proportion of society and making access to justice simpler, fairer, and more sustainable, while ensuring support reaches those who need it most.

We want to hear your views. Your feedback will help shape reforms that are practical, proportionate, and responsive to the needs of our community. Please take time to read the consultation paper and share your thoughts through the channels provided. Together, we can build a system that delivers better outcomes for everyone.

People can contribute their views by completing the online Citizen Space questionnaires (link below), or by sending written responses by email to or by post. 

Stakeholders may also request a meeting with the Enabling Access to Justice Division to discuss the options, and alternative formats are available on request to ensure accessibility. All responses submitted during the consultation period will be considered and may be published, with personal details removed for private individuals.