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Every motion, amendment, parliamentary question and answer the chamber has lodged since 1999, searchable in one place.

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Covering Unknown to Unknown. 5,653 amendments linked to their parent motions. 4,903,788 recorded MSP supports. 2,901 divisions on record (1,652 carried, 1,188 defeated).

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Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-31040 by Siobhian Brown on 13 November 2024, whether it will provide the information requested regarding for what reason there ha

S6W-32054 · Written Question · lodged by Kerr, Liam

Lodged on
09 Dec 2024
Heard / answered on
30 Dec 2024
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-31040 by Siobhian Brown on 13 November 2024, whether it will provide the information requested regarding for what reason there has been a reported reduction in the number of criminal legal aid solicitors, since 2007, from 1,459 to 966.

The answer

Patterns of business in the criminal justice system have changed fundamentally since 2007 due to reductions in crime, the increasing availability and use of alternatives to prosecution and trends towards earlier resolution of cases. This means that the demand for criminal legal aid - and so for the services of criminal defence solicitors - has also changed fundamentally.Comparing the 12 months ending March 2007 with the 12 months ending March 2024, the number of grants of legal aid in relation to summary matters fell by 37%, for solemn legal aid by 13%, for appeals by 86% and the number of accused requiring representation by a duty solicitor fell by 81%. Over the same period, the number of registered solicitors fell by 34%, broadly reflecting the reduction in demand.The criminal courts are not reporting people unable to get representation, anyone who needs a solicitor at a police station or to appear in court from custody gets access to a solicitor.

Answered by Siobhian Brown on 30 Dec 2024.