§ Lord Acknerasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they intend to implement their proposals for "taking control of the cost of civil legal aid" (H.L. Deb., 9 December 1997, col. 41) by legislation; if so what legislation, and if not, then by what means. [HL71]
§ The Lord ChancellorI am proposing to implement my plans for changes to the scope of civil legal aid by regulations under Section 14 of the Legal Aid Act 1988; the introduction of exclusive contracting for advice and assistance under the provisions of Section 4 and regulations under Section 8 of the Legal Aid Act 1988; and the extension of conditional fees by an order under Section 58 of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990. The exercise of the powers to make the regulations and order are subject to affirmative resolution of both Houses of Parliament. The other reforms I plan—for example, the introduction of block contracting for civil legal aid—will require primary legislation. which I will bring before Parliament in due course.