SLAB sets improvement targets for coming year

Corporate Plan 2005-06 commits to increasing access to advice and assistance

News, 8 June 2005

Significant reforms to the legal aid system over the next year will improve delivery of services and develop access to justice, according to the Scottish Legal Aid Board.

Publishing its Corporate Plan 2005-2006, the Board set out three key themes to its strategy:
* increasing access to quality assured legal advice, assistance and representation for those who qualify;
* working with others to improve the efficient and effective operation of the legal aid system;
* increasing the Board's efficiency and effectiveness.

Civil legal aid was reformed in October 2003. The board undertakes to review the impact of the reform, and to reform civil advice and assistance so that it works effectively alongside the new system. It will also work to implement reform of criminal legal assistance, including changes resulting from the Executive's reform of the sheriff court and High Court.

All of the Board's services will be available online by the end of 2005. This will enable applications and accounts to be made through a secure internet site, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the legal aid system and making it easier, quicker and more cost effective.

Further projects will improve customer service, by minimising bureaucracy, reviewing performance targets and engaging with customers and stakeholders through improved communications, surveys and events.

In addition to the developments highlighted in the Board's plan, there will be further change as a result of the Strategic Review of legal aid, advice and information. A consultation on how the Scottish Executive intends to take forward the recommendations in the strategic review report published last October, is expected shortly.

Jean Couper, Chairman of the Scottish Legal Aid Board said: "The coming year provides opportunities to increase further the effectiveness of legal aid. In the next year there will be significant changes in legal assistance, such as reform of civil advice and assistance and solemn criminal legal aid, where quality assurance will be introduced."

Commenting on the review, she explained: "We are committed to working with the Executive and other stakeholders to address ministers' decisions. We will respond quickly to introduce any short-term changes and to develop proposals and plans to implement other changes that cannot be taken forward in the short-term."

"Opportunities for access," the Board's Corporate Plan 2005-2006 is available on its website at www.slab.org.uk .