§ Mr. Terry FieldsTo ask the Attorney-General what provisions exist to ensure that solicitors engaged to represent DSS claimants on legal aid at early stages of appeal do not cease to represent them when their appeals reach critical stages and legal aid runs out; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Attorney-GeneralCivil legal aid is granted by the legal aid board for most business in the county courts and the High Court subject to the applicant satisfying the board's financial eligibility and merits tests. The merits test is applied at the outset of a case to determine whether it is worth pursuing. Legal aid is not available for representation before social security appeal tribunals or the social security commissioners, but green form advice is available to prepare for the hearing.