§ Huw Irranca-DaviesTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what plans he has to increase the accountability of the Legal Services Commission for its decisions on the granting of legal aid. [133361]
§ Mr. LammyWe have no plans to do so. Decisions on the granting of public funding (formerly legal aid) in civil cases are a matter for the Legal Services Commission (LSC), which is an independent body, free from political and Government influence in handling individual cases. Individuals denied funding by the LSC are entitled to have the decision reviewed by a funding review committee, an independent legal panel whose decisions on legal issues are binding on the LSC. Further, if a LSC funding decision is erroneous it may be challenged in court through judicial review.