§ 41. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Attorney-General how many certificates were granted during the first year of the 2014 legal aid scheme; and how many of them were granted in respect of proceedings in the divorce court.
§ The Solicitor-GeneralBy the end of the first year of the Legal Aid Scheme, 35,820 Civil Aid Certificates had been issued. Five hundred and thirty-seven were awaiting issue to applicants who had accepted the terms offered to them. Of the 36,357 certificates issued and awaiting issue, 29,365 were in respect of matrimonial proceedings in the Probate, Divorce and Admiralty Division of the High Court.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonWhile it is no reflection upon the scheme, which in the main provides wider general facilities for divorce proceedings, will the hon. and learned Gentleman examine complaints which have been made that applicants under the scheme are in some cases paying more for undefended cases than they would have had to pay if they had employed a private solicitor?
§ The Solicitor-GeneralWe shall be very glad to examine any information on that matter which is put before us.