Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Justice to detail any steps she is taking to ensure that the independence of the legal profession and judiciary will be maintained, following the implementation of reforms of the legal aid system. Minister of Justice: As Minister of Justice, I am deeply committed to safeguarding … Continue reading AQW 34214/22-27 – Independence of the legal profession and judiciary
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 … Continue reading AQW 34213/22-27 – Legal Aid Reform
Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Justice to detail any engagement her Department has had with stakeholders in relation to the contribution of the legal profession to the sustainability of the legal aid service. Minister of Justice: Sustainability of legal aid services is dependent upon the availability of quality legal services … Continue reading AQW 34212/22-27 0 Legal Aid Services Sustainability
Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Justice to detail how she will ensure that (i) any new delivery models for legal aid services will be financially sustainable; and (ii) the current regulatory and consumer protections will continue to apply to those services. Minister of Justice: The Department of Justice is committed … Continue reading AQW 34115/22-27 – Legal Aid Services Sustainability
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 policies and payments system will attract and retain an increased diversity of practitioners, to provide legal aid services. Minister of Justice: His Honor Tom Burgess CBE led an independent … Continue reading AQW 34117/22-27 – Legal Aid Services Diversity
Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Justice to detail any steps she is taking to reduce the average length of time, that Legal Aid practitioners are waiting to receive payment from her Department, for bills submitted for services provided. Minister of Justice: The table below indicates the payment times in August … Continue reading AQW 33999/22-27 – Legal Aid payments
Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Justice to detail the overall expenditure figures for legal aid services, along with the associated number of cases granted legal aid, in each of the last 10 years. Minister of Justice: Table 1 presents total annual expenditure for legal aid in Northern Ireland alongside the … Continue reading AQW 33998/22-27 – Legal Aid Services Cost
Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Justice to detail any discussions her Department is currently undertaking with the Criminal Bar Association, to fully restore legal aid services. Minister of Justice: My officials continue to engage directly and extensively with the Criminal Bar Association, primarily under the auspices of the Criminal Legal … Continue reading AQW 33997/22-27 – Legal aid services
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