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15 October 2009
Issue: 7389 / Categories: In-House , Legal News , Legal aid focus
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Legal aid spend under review

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Civil & criminal systems could be separated under Ministry of Justice proposals

Senior civil servant, Sir Ian Magee, is leading a review into proposals to separate the Criminal Defence Service (CDS) and Community Legal Service (CLS).

He will explore the available options for separation, including ringfencing both CDS and CLS budgets, look at ways to manage the finances of both funds, and identify appropriate delivery models for both the CDS and CLS and their relationship with the ministry.

Sir Ian, who is due to report back in January 2010, said: “Naturally, I will be consulting a range of interested parties, including the judiciary, the legal profession and the relevant public bodies who play a part in the delivery of legal aid.

“If, however, anyone would like to submit their observations to me directly, they should write to me at the MoJ.”

According to the MoJ, the CDS budget has grown from £873m to £1.2bn, and the CLS from £719m to £914m, in the last nine years. The total legal aid budget is £2.1bn.

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