Written question asked by Elfyn Llwyd (Plaid Cymru) on Wednesday, 11 October 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 16 October 2006. It was answered by Vera Baird (Labour) on Thursday, 19 October 2006 on behalf of the Department for Constitutional Affairs.

Legal Aid

Question: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many firms of solicitors in England and Wales undertake Legal Services Commission funded criminal law work; and how many undertook such work in 1997.

Answer: Data provided by the LSC show that, as at 31 March 2006, there were 2,608 solicitors’ offices operating under a contract for the criminal defence service. In 1997-98, there were 7,315 considered active in criminal defence service work.This change reflects the important work taken forward with the introduction of the General Criminal Contract in April 2001, where more stringent requirements were introduced for firms and practitioners engaged in criminal defence work. These changes meant that, for instance, divorce lawyers that had previously ‘dabbled’ in the Criminal Defence Service could no longer take on this work. In turn, this meant that clients could be seen by practitioners who were specialists in criminal work, improving the quality of advice and further ensuring equality of arms.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 94169; 450 c1386W;450 c1392W
Session: 2005-06
Subjects: Criminal proceedings Criminal Defence Service Legal aid scheme Solicitors
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk