HC Deb 09 February 1977 vol 925 cc671-2W
Mr. Hicks

asked the Solicitor-General what consultations and discussions took place between the Lord Chancellor's Department and the Law Society and other interested parties prior to the Lord Chancellor's announcement on 15th June 1976 of his intention to remove legal aid from undefended divorces; what consultations have taken place subsequently; and what was the number and nature of the representations he has received expressing dissatisfaction with these proposals.

The Solicitor-General

As the House has already been informed in a Written Answer by my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General on 26th July 1976, my noble Friend discussed his proposals with a number of interested parties before making his announcement. Since, however, these discussions were confidential it would not be appropriate for him to disclose the details.

Since the announcement he and his Department have undertaken extensive and detailed consultations about the implementation of his proposals with all relevant judicial and professional authorities, and particularly with the Law Society. As the House was informed in a Written Answer by my right hon. and learned Friend on 19th November, my noble Friend has received a number of representations for and against his proposals. Between 15th June and 15th November 1976 my noble Friend received 29 representations critical of the proposals. Most of them were from solicitors who are 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.

Since November my noble Friend has received very few representations on this matter.

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