§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
What action they will take to address the concern expressed by the Civil Justice Council in its report on Full Costs Recovery that the present level of fees discourages access to the courts, particularly on the part of the low-wage employees and small business proprietors not eligble for legal aid. [HL1804]
§ The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (Baroness Scotland of Asthal)My department is taking forward a wide-ranging programme of work on fees in civil court cases which will examine all the issues raised by the Civil Justice Council in its report on Full Costs Recovery. I welcome its contribution to the debate and my officials are already speaking to the council. The fee policy principles which the Lord Chancellor announced to this House on 19 November 1998 state that "Fees should not prevent access to justice" and that "Protection must be provided for litigants of modest means". This is afforded through exemption 149WA from fee payment for individuals qualifying for tax credits. Those who do not qualify for tax credits but would otherwise suffer hardship in meeting a fee may apply to the court for remission, whether or not they are a litigant in person or a litigant in person trading as a firm.