access to justice and legal funding

• Is there an unmet need for legal services in the UK?

  Yes, there is an unmet need.
• What is the purpose of legal aid?

  To enable people to vindicate their legal rights.
• What is required for people to access legal advice?

  A sufficient number of professionals in the field.
• When was the first state-funded legal aid scheme established?

  In 1949.
• What happened to the legal aid system in the 1980s?

  It developed into six different schemes.
• Who administered the legal aid schemes?

  The Legal Aid Board.
• What major changes occurred in 1999 regarding legal aid?

  The Access to Justice Act 1999 was introduced.
• What significant act was introduced in 2012 affecting legal aid?

  The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012.
• What was a consequence of the 2012 legal aid reforms?

  Further cuts to legal aid were introduced.
• What was the focus of legal aid from 1949 to 1999?

  Welfare state and demand-led services.
• What was the aim of LASPO regarding legal aid funding?

  To cut the legal aid bill by £350m a year.
• What does LASPO s1 state about the Lord Chancellor?

  He has overall responsibility for legal aid.
• What are means and merits tests in LASPO s4?

  Criteria for qualifying for civil legal aid.
• What does LASPO s10 provide for civil legal aid?

  Exceptional funding for human rights cases.
• What is the duty solicitor right under LASPO s13?

  Free legal advice at police stations.
• What does LASPO s14 state about representation orders?

  They require means and merits tests.
• What does LASPO s44 abolish?

  The ability to recover costs in conditional fee arrangements.
• What are damages-based agreements under LASPO s45?

  Agreements where lawyers receive a share of damages.
• What has LASPO done to civil legal aid availability?

  It has dramatically reduced availability.
• What was the impact of LASPO on legal providers?

  There was a 37% drop in legal providers.
• What percentage of the population was eligible for legal aid by 2020?

  Only 25% of the population.
• What issue arose by 2021 regarding legal representation?

  People had to represent themselves.
• What did the Law Society and Justice Committee suggest in 2021?

  Help for those entering the legal profession.
• What is the role of the Public Defender Service in criminal legal aid?

  To provide legal advice and representation.
• What does LASPO s16 state about criminal legal aid?

  It is delivered through a mixed system.
• What is the Duty Solicitor Scheme under LASPO s13?

  It provides free legal advice at police stations.
• What is required for legal aid representation in court under LASPO s14?

  Means and merits tests must be passed.
• What are Conditional Fee Agreements (CFAs)?

  Agreements where lawyers are paid upon winning.
• What are Damages-based Agreements (DBAs)?

  Lawyers receive a share of awarded damages.
• What is the role of Citizens’ Advice Bureaux?

  To provide free, confidential legal advice.
• What do Law Centres specialize in?

  Social welfare legal advice and representation.
• What is Pro Bono Work?

  Lawyers provide services free of charge.
• What benefit do Trade Unions provide to members?

  Legal advice as part of membership.
• What is the focus of the evaluation questions regarding legal aid?

  To assess if legal aid is fit for purpose.
• What is the importance of Conditional Fee Agreements?

  They provide access to justice without upfront costs.
• What does the term "unmet need for legal services" refer to?

  People unable to access necessary legal help.
• What is the significance of the 2023 Eduqas paper in relation to legal aid?

  It provides evaluation criteria for legal aid.
• What is the role of the Legal Aid Agency?

  To oversee the legal aid system.
• What does the term "access to justice" mean?

  Ability to obtain legal assistance and representation.
• What is the purpose of the interests of justice test?

  To determine eligibility for legal aid representation.