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Proceeding contribution from Lord Phillips of Sudbury (Liberal Democrat) in the House of Lords on Tuesday, 10 January 2012. It occurred during Committee of the Whole House (HL) and Debate on bill on Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill.

Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill

I am sorry to interrupt my noble friend’s flow, but surely for him to argue, as he just has, that all is well on the independence front because Clause 4(4) states that the Lord Chancellor cannot direct the director of legal aid casework in individual cases is small comfort given that it leaves intact Clause 4(3), which enables the Lord Chancellor to give directions, which the director must comply with, on anything to do with the director’s functions except in an individual case. A whole wide sea of discretion is given to the Lord Chancellor by that provision, which goes to the heart of the independence of the director.

Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
734 c93 
Session
2010-12
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
Subjects
Children Criminal proceedings Appeals Disadvantaged Administration of justice Civil proceedings Legal profession Women Equality Health services Fees and charges Legal aid scheme Expenditure Domestic abuse Legal Services Commission Family law Family proceedings NHS Low incomes Ministerial powers Public appointments Negligence Social security Sentencing Standards Voluntary organisations Young people Witnesses Remand in custody Ministry of Justice Expert evidence Citizens' advice bureaux Law centres Impact assessments Public Defender Service Lord Chancellor Mediation
Legislation
Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill 2010-12
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk