HC Deb 20 May 1996 vol 278 cc51-2W
Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria are used to determine eligibility for the Army legal aid scheme. [29759]

Mr. Soames

The general principles to be followed in deciding whether the case justifies the provision of legal aid are that:

  1. (a) Legal aid would have been provided if the case had been brought in the criminal courts of the United Kingdom. This principle is designed to ensure that Army personnel are not placed at a disadvantage because they are posted aborad.
  2. (b) The accused is being brought to trial by court martial for a service offence which is serious or involves points of legal difficulty, or the expert examination of witnesses is required.