Legal Aid reform delayed by antiquated IT system
The MOJ has finally published its response to the legal aid means test review and agreed to expand civil and criminal legal aid to include 6 million more people.
The means test is used by the government to assess who is eligible for legal aid to help with payment of their legal costs. It is available only to those who are on low incomes. It is assessed based on the applicant’s disposable income and savings, as well as family circumstances and essential living costs. Legal aid means tests have not been reviewed since 2009 while inflation and housing costs have rocketed.
Legal aid can help non-resident parents in family cases avoid homelessness, mental illness, and loss of a relationship with their children, however the MOJ has said it is unable to implement the planned changes without considerable investment in the aging IT system used by the Legal Aid Agency.
Expanding legal aid would help both parties in family disputes could improve access to the “justice” they are entitled to.
There has been no response from Government.
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