Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 06 January 2026
06 Jan 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Civil Legal Assistance
I understand that some key stakeholders are not willing to take part in that group. At this point in my speech, I am focused on legal aid rates and the reasons why solicitors have walked away from undertaking civil legal aid work in particular, but the issues are very similar with criminal legal aid.
The cuts in rates have been accompanied by an 18 per cent reduction in the number of firms that are registered for legal aid, and I have already spoken about the number of solicitors having reduced by 12 per cent in only three years. That is the very recent past—those are the figures that we are dealing with now, against the backdrop of historical cuts to civil legal aid, which the minister is aware of.
In a recent survey, the Law Society of Scotland found that nearly 41 per cent of respondents plan to stop offering legal aid within two years or are unsure whether they will continue.
I do not know whether I have more time, given that I have taken a couple of interventions.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-20208, in the name of Karen Adam, on behalf of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee, ...
Karen Adam (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP)
SNP
I am pleased that we have the opportunity today to debate the provision of civil legal assistance in Scotland. In the course of our inquiry, the committee wa...
The Minister for Victims and Community Safety (Siobhian Brown)
SNP
I welcome the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee’s report on civil legal aid. It is a report that highlights the strengths of our system an...
Martin Whitfield (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I welcome the draft Scottish statutory instrument that was laid towards the end of December. Does the minister feel that that goes as far as is recommended i...
Siobhian Brown
SNP
More than 18 months ago, I committed to considering what non-primary legislation we could introduce. That work is being done in consultation with the Scottis...
Tess White (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
Throughout the committee’s inquiry, we heard consistent and deeply concerning evidence about the growing difficulty that individuals face in finding a solici...
Siobhian Brown
SNP
Made a request to intervene.
Tess White
Con
I say sorry to the minister, but I will make progress. Administrative requirements were described as “burdensome”, “disproportionate” and “damaging” to SLAB...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I call Ariane Burgess.
Ariane Burgess (Highlands and Islands) (Green)
Green
Inaudible.—broader eligibility, reduced bureaucracy and targeted action to retain and attract legal aid solicitors in remote areas. Will they ensure that—
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Ms Burgess, my apologies, I called you a little early. That will give us time to address the audiovisual issues. I should of course have called Katy Clark. ...
Katy Clark (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
Thank you very much, Presiding Officer. I am pleased to open the debate on behalf of Scottish Labour. We thank committee members, clerks and all others who c...
Siobhian Brown
SNP
Made a request to intervene.
Katy Clark
Lab
The number of solicitors who are registered to provide legal aid in Scotland has fallen by 12 per cent in just three years. Does the minister still want to ...
Siobhian Brown
SNP
Yes—a brief one. I appreciate that there are concerns about eligibility, fees and so on, and negotiations are on-going on those issues, but would you acknowl...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Always speak through the chair.
Katy Clark
Lab
I am aware of the very recent increases, but, as the minister is aware, the problem is the significant cuts that have been made over many, many years. The 10...
Siobhian Brown
SNP
I thank the member for giving way, because this is a really important debate. One of the big issues that I have seen as a stumbling block to primary legisla...
Katy Clark
Lab
I understand that some key stakeholders are not willing to take part in that group. At this point in my speech, I am focused on legal aid rates and the reaso...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
You do.
Katy Clark
Lab
There is also concern about the fact that few younger solicitors are doing legal aid work. Currently, twice the number of solicitors registered for legal aid...
Ariane Burgess (Highlands and Islands) (Green)
Green
Access to justice is a fundamental human right. It is not a luxury, and it must never be a privilege that is reserved for those with money, confidence or pro...
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD)
LD
Presiding Officer, I apologise to you and to other members for my late arrival in the chamber this afternoon. Suffice it to say that travelling down from Ork...
Marie McNair (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP)
SNP
Presiding Officer, I take this opportunity to wish you and everyone in the Parliament a happy and healthy new year. As we know, it will be a busy one for eve...
Pam Duncan-Glancy (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
A happy new year to you, Presiding Officer, and to colleagues across the chamber. I am pleased to speak in this debate on the findings and recommendations o...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The final speaker in the open debate is Paul McLennan. 15:15
Paul McLennan (East Lothian) (SNP)
SNP
I am speaking in this debate as a member of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee, and I thank everyone who contributed to the inquiry, in...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
We move to the winding-up speeches. 15:20
Martin Whitfield (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
Presiding Officer, I extend, as others have, the wishes of the new year to you and to other members in the chamber. This has been a fascinating debate, and ...
Liam McArthur
LD
I thank Martin Whitfield for taking an intervention, and I agree whole-heartedly with the points that he is making. Does he accept that the longer that the p...