Jun 19 - Government “Committed To Reform Of Legal Aid”
The Government says that it notes the call by the GSD Opposition for a Government statement on the reform of legal aid and assistance.
The Government says it has a manifesto commitment to reform legal aid and assistance and that it is doing so in consultation with affected parties, in particular with the Bar Council and is very close to finalising arrangements for a new system. According to the Government, this will provide for a fairer and more cost-effective system which will benefit those in need of assistance and provide value for money for the taxpayer.
It will nevertheless be recalled, says a statement from Number 6, that in 16 years in office, the GSD “failed to carry out the reform that they are now calling for.” Further, argues the Government, in the four years in which the Leader of the Opposition was Minister for Justice, all he was able to produce was a draft Bill which was not even taken to Parliament.
