Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Justice to detail any steps she is taking to ensure that reform of the legal aid system does not result in unmet need and gaps in the provision of legal aid services.
Minister of Justice: I am acutely aware of the importance of ensuring that reform of the legal aid system does not result in unmet need or gaps in service provision. The Enabling Access to Justice reform programme, which I announced in December 2024, is designed to safeguard access to high-quality legal advice and representation for those who need it most.
The reform agenda includes proposals to expand eligibility for legal aid, trial alternative dispute resolution models to reduce reliance on court proceedings, and undertake reviews of fee structures to ensure the system is both efficient and financially sustainable. These measures are intended to enhance frontline service provision and ensure that legal aid remains accessible. My Department will shortly launch public consultations on the scope of legal aid, merits testing, and financial eligibility. These consultations are intended to provide stakeholders with further opportunities to contribute views and evidence, helping to ensure that legal aid remains sustainable, targeted, and responsive to need.
To prevent gaps in provision, the Department has taken a holistic approach to reform, considering the impact across criminal, civil, and family law services. We are working to ensure that changes in one area do not inadvertently undermine access in another.
Extensive stakeholder engagement has been a cornerstone of the reform process. The Department has conducted detailed consultations with the legal profession, civil society organisations, and service users. This includes a call for evidence as part of the Foundational Review of Civil Legal Aid, the Fundamental Review of Criminal Legal Aid led by His Honour Judge Burgess, and a priority-setting exercise for civil legal aid for victims of domestic abuse. These engagements have helped identify areas of unmet need and informed the development of targeted interventions.
I have also met with representatives from the Law Society and the Bar of Northern Ireland to discuss concerns around service sustainability and access to justice. I will continue this engagement to ensure that the representative bodies of these valued public service providers have the opportunity to shape the reform programme and help the Department to remain responsive to emerging challenges.
My Department will continue to monitor the impact of reforms closely and engage with stakeholders to ensure that legal aid services remain responsive to the needs of the public.
ENDS
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