News In Focus
12 March 2010
Scots want more accessible legal services, Which? claims
Scots want legal services to be more accessible, with more informal means made available for dealing with minor disputes, according to new research by Which?
A telephone survey of just over 1,000 adults in Scotland for the consumer organisation revealed 83% agreement that legal services should be easier to understand, and a similar number (79%) that they should be less formal and more user-friendly.
Also 83% think that a relatively informal method of dealing with small claims disputes about poor quality goods and services, with no wigs and gowns, and no need to hire a lawyer would be suitable. And 79% would like to have the option of accessing less formal "problem solving" courts where people could get redress without having to use a lawyer.
Which? says the research backs the proposals of Lord Gill’s Civil Courts Review published last September. The review supported a new, lower tier level of the sheriff court for resolution of disputes up to £5,000.
Principal public affairs officer, Julia Clarke, said: “The idea of having to go through a formal court process may put some people off pursuing legal disputes over faulty goods or services. That’s why it’s important that other, less formal, ways of settling disputes are made available to Scottish consumers.”