HL Deb 28 June 1999 vol 603 cc5-6WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Chancellor on 9 June (WA 157), whether any domestic remedies are available for individuals involved in complex cases of public importance who are unable to obtain other sources of representation and are not eligible for legal aid in proceedings in employment tribunals. [HL2993]

The Lord Chancellor (Lord Irvine of Lairg)

The Lord Chancellor has the power to make a direction under Section 4(4)(a) of the Legal Aid Act 1988 to give the Legal Aid Board the power to grant representation under Section 4(2)(b) of that Act for proceedings that are ordinarily outside the scope of legal aid. This power is used only in exceptional circumstances.