§ Mr. Oakesasked the Attorney-General (1) what was the total number of cases dealt with in the Divisional Court of the High Court; and in how many of these cases one or both of the parties were legally aided in each of the years 1965. 1966 and 1967;
(2) what was the total number of cases dealt with in the Queen's Bench Division of the High Court; and in how many of these cases one or both of the parties were legally aided in each of the years 1965, 1966, and 1967;
171W(3) what was the total number of cases dealt with in the Divorce Division of the High Court; and in how many of these cases one or both of the parties were legally aided in each of the years 1965, 1966 and 1967;
(4) what was the total number of cases dealt with in county courts in England and Wales; and in how many of these cases either or both of the parties were legally aided in each of the years 1965, 1966 and 1967;
(5) what was the total number of cases dealt with by the Salford Hundred Court; and in how many of these cases either or
1965 1966 1967 DIVISIONAL COURTS (Queen's Bench and Probate, Divorce and Admiralty Divisions) Number of proceedings commenced … … … 512 557 792 Legally aided parties* … … … 280 285 361 Queen's Bench Division Number of proceedings commenced … … … 135,101 154,393 165,643 Legally aided parties* … … … 9.714 9,929 11,596 Probate, Divorce and Admiralty Division (Divorce) Number of cases commenced … … … 43,255 46,890 51,269 Legally aided parties* … … … 40,181 42,732 48,597 COUNTY COURTS Number of proceedings commenced … … … 1,521,881 1,553,587 1,617,648 Legally aided parties* … … … … 4,304 4,762 5,707 Salford Hundred Court of Record Cases dealt with (number of Plaints entered) … … 891 912 794 Legally aided parties* … … … 21 17 18 MAGISTRATES' COURTS Number of applications … … … 30,336 30,500 29,508 Legally aided parties* … … … Not available 36,485 40,047 * In some cases more than one party may have beer legally aided in one case.
§ Mr. Oakesasked the Attorney-General what was the cost of advertising the legal aid and legal advice scheme during each of the last five years; and by what means he intends to inform the public of the availability of these services.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe cost of advertising the legal aid and advice schemes, excluding distribution costs, in the last five years was as follows:
£ 1964 … … … … 166 1965 … … … … 175 1966 … … … … 166 1967 … … … … 969 1968 955 The question of further publicity for the schemes is receiving consideration.
§ Mr. Oakesasked the Attorney-General (1) if he will begin negotiations with the Law Society on the effectiveness of the present legal aid scheme and on the improvements necessary to make it more readily available to litigants in need;
172Wboth of the parties were legally aided in each of the years 1965, 1966 and 1967;
(6) what was the total number of domestic cases dealt with in matrimonial proceedings before magistrates in England and Wales; and in how many such cases either or both of the parties were legally aided in each of the years 1965. 1966 and 1967.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe only comparative figures available show the number of proceedings commenced and numbers of persons granted legal aid in those proceedings. The figures are:
(2) if he will take steps to inaugurate a pilot scheme of legal aid centres, staffed by salaried solicitors, in areas in which there are no practising solicitors or in which solicitors will not undertake legal aid services;
(3) if he will set up a working party to study the extent of the need for legal services, and the most efficient and least costly means of providing such services.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe Law Society have already made proposals for improving the effectiveness of the legal aid and advice schemes. These proposals have been examined by the Legal Aid Advisory Committee. Other proposals have very recently been put forward by the Society of Labour Lawyers and by a Committee of Conservative Lawyers. My noble Friend the Lord Chancellor is now considering all these proposals.
§ Mr. Oakesasked the Attorney-General what is the purpose of the present rule which restricts solicitors in legally-aided 173W cases to 85 per cent. of their normal fees; and if he will abolish such rules.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe sums allowed to solicitors and counsel in connection with proceedings in the House of Lords or the Supreme Court is 90 per cent. of the amount allowed on taxation of the costs. In other cases it is the full amount of the taxed costs. It has been generally regarded by the legal pro-professions as important to maintain the tradition that lawyers in this country accept reduced fees when acting on behalf of litigants who are unable to pay costs in full. I share that view.
§ Mr. Oakesasked the Attorney-General when the scales of eligibility and contributions for applicants for legal aid and for legal advice were last revised; when scales of remuneration for solicitors for legal aid and legal advice were last revised; and if he will further revise both scales in the light of present circumstances.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe present financial conditions for legal aid in civil cases and legal advice came into operation in 1960. There are no scales of remuneration prescribed especially for socilitors acting for assisted persons. The remuneration depends on what is allowed on taxation, but it has, since 1961, been subject to a 10 per cent. reduction in costs allowed in proceedings in the House of Lords or Supreme Court. The financial conditions for legal advice date from 1959. The Report of the Legal Aid Advisory Committee, published last October, contains proposals for revising the financial conditions for legal aid and legal advice and for revising the remuneration of solicitors giving legal advice. The proposals are under consideration.