Written question asked by Paul Stinchcombe (Labour) on Wednesday, 4 April 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 3 May 2001. It was answered by David Lock (Labour) on Thursday, 3 May 2001 on behalf of the Lord Chancellor's Department.

Lord Chancellors Dept

Question: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, how much of the allocated civil aid budget for personal injury cases has been spent on expanding the legal advice and representation budget for other areas of civil legal aid since the coming into force of the Access to Justice Act 1999. - Includes figures. (Holding answer 10 April 2001).

Answer: Mr. Stinchcombe: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how much of the allocated civil aid budget for personal injury cases has been spent on expanding the legal advice and representation budget for other areas of civil legal aid since the coming into force of the Access to Justice Act 1999. [R] [157436] Mr. Lock: [holding answer 10 April 2001]: Under the Legal Aid Act 1988 and the Access to Justice Act 1999, expenditure is essentially demand led. With the exception of the new, controlled budget for general civil legal help, funds are not specifically allocated to particular areas of law. However, it has been possible to increase the amount available for advice and assistance since implementation of the Access to Justice Act; in 2000-01 the amount spent on civil advice and assistance (now legal help) totalled £233 million, an increase of £28 million on the previous year. This increase would not have been possible if most personal injury cases remained within the scope of public funding.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 367 c793W; 157436
Session: 2000-01
Registered interest declared: Yes
Subjects: Civil proceedings Legal aid scheme Expenditure Legal representation
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk