§ Mr. Michael Lathamasked the Attorney-General on what date he proposes to introduce the new arrangements to withdraw legal aid for undefended divorce cases; what representations he has received about this proposal; and whether he will make a statement.
§ The Attorney-GeneralSubject to the approval of the appropriate authorities to the necessary amending rules and regulations, my noble Friend expects to give effect to his proposals to simplify procedure and restrict legal aid in undefended divorce cases during the second quarter of 1977.
My noble Friend has received a number of representations for and against his proposals. Most of those against were from solicitors who were under the misapprehension that my noble Friend proposed to withdraw the necessary services of advice and assistance from litigants in undefended divorce cases. In fact, as he made clear from the first, my noble Friend's proposal is, by removing the need for a hearing in open court in such cases, to remove the need for legal representation at such a hearing and hence the need for legal aid for such representation. Other necessary legal services will, however, continue to be available by way of advice and assistance, and of legal aid for ancillary proceedings concerning maintenance, property and children.
Statements have already been made about these proposals by my noble Friend on 15th June 1976—[House of Lords, Vol. 371, c. 1212–20] and by my hon. and learned Friend the Solicitor-General on 15th July 1976—[Vol. 915, c. 1125–36.]