Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 18 February 2026 [Draft]
18 Feb 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Portfolio Question Time
Legal Aid Reforms
A recent survey by the Law Society of Scotland found that 41 per cent of solicitors are either planning to stop legal aid work within two years or are unsure whether they will continue. That shows the damage that has been caused by years of underfunding, which a delayed uplift will not reverse. By what date will the minister end legal aid advice deserts and guarantee access to a solicitor in every part of Scotland?
In the same item of business
4. Paul McLennan (East Lothian) (SNP)
SNP
To ask the Scottish Government how the recently announced legal aid reforms will ensure the accessibility of justice. (S6O-05526)
The Minister for Victims and Community Safety (Siobhian Brown)
SNP
Our reforms to legal aid will strengthen access to justice, which is a central aim of our changes. Parliament has approved reforms to children’s and criminal...
Paul McLennan
SNP
Will the minister explain how the reforms will ensure equality of access, particularly in more remote areas?
Siobhian Brown
SNP
The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring access to justice in remote areas. Funding is available to allow solicitors to travel to remote parts of the...
Sharon Dowey (South Scotland) (Con)
Con
A recent survey by the Law Society of Scotland found that 41 per cent of solicitors are either planning to stop legal aid work within two years or are unsure...
Siobhian Brown
SNP
As the member and Parliament know, I have been working closely with the legal profession over the past couple of years to see what can be put in place to imp...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
Question 5 comes from Clare Adamson, who joins us remotely.