Justice

– Scottish Parliament written question – answered at on 20 September 1999.

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Photo of Ian Welsh Ian Welsh Labour

Question S1W-1454

To ask the Scottish Executive what operational difficulties the Scottish Legal Aid Board has faced in the last few years, and what steps it has taken to ensure that the Scottish Legal Aid Board will now operate efficiently and expeditiously.

Photo of Jim Wallace Jim Wallace Liberal Democrat

The Scottish Legal Aid Board has encountered some operational problems this year which have led to delays in payments. There is a backlog of accounts to be assessed, which the Board is reducing by encouraging staff to work extra hours and recruiting additional staff. The Board has also established a helpline for solicitors’ enquiries.

At present, the Board is approximately 8 weeks behind in the payment of accounts. It hopes to overcome the backlog by the end of October 1999. Fixed payment accounts, which apply to summary criminal cases, are being processed more quickly due to their simplicity.

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