Q&A: Legal aid changes

  • Published

In an effort to cut the £2bn annual legal aid bill in England and Wales by £350m a year, there are now fewer types of civil proceedings for which people can get funding. The changes came in on 1st April 2013.

What is legal aid?

What has changed?

Which cases no longer qualify?

What cases will continue to be funded?

What options are available to people ineligible for legal aid?

Was there opposition to the changes?

What does the government say to that?

How else are costs being cut?

What about legal aid for criminal cases?