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<p>The Government’s Review of Legal Aid for Inquests was published on 7 February 2019.</p><p> </p><p>Legal aid for representation at inquests is not generally available, because the inquest process is an inquisitorial, fact finding process. Having considered the impact on bereaved families of additional representatives, and the impact of a possible expansion on the wider legal aid scheme, we decided not to introduce non-means tested legal aid for inquests.</p><p> </p><p>However, the Government realises that there may be some instances where legal representation is required at inquests and funding may be available through the Exceptional Case Funding scheme (ECF). The decision to provide funding under ECF is taken by the Legal Aid Agency (LAA) who make their decisions independently from political and Government influence. The Legal Support Action Plan published following the post implementation review of LASPO, includes a commitment to simplify the ECF scheme to ensure it works as effectively as possible for those who need it.</p><p> </p><p>The evidence that we gathered as part of our Review for Legal Aid for Inquests will also be considered as part of the Legal Aid Means Test Review, which is looking at the thresholds for legal aid entitlement. This Review is assessing the effectiveness with which the means test protects access to justice, particularly for those who are vulnerable, and is currently scheduled for publication in Summer 2020.</p> |