§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Attorney-General in what circumstances persons with large capital assets may be granted legal aid.
The Solicitor-GeneralThere is no fixed upper capital limit for criminal legal aid and it is for each court to decide whether a defendant needs assistance in meeting the likely costs of his defence. In civil legal aid, there is an upper capital limit, and where the applicant's capital exceeds this limit, legal aid may be refused if it appears that he could afford to proceed without legal aid.