Legal Aid is regulated by the Scottish Legal Aid Board. I am registered to provide criminal legal aid and has done so since 2002. This firm has now been audited twice by the Board and passed as satisfactory (being the highest assessment available). As part of the provision of legal aid I am on the local Duty Solicitor rota.

It is not possible to give a complete picture on a site such as this regarding legal aid. Details of the costs of legal aid can be found on the Scottish Legal Aid Board Website. Broadly speaking the limits are captial below £1664 and a free income (after removing costs such as housing, loan repayments, maintance etc)of £238 per week. The situation will depend on the type of case, the personal circumstances of the applicant and the seriousness of the charges. In some cases legal aid will be covered by the duty scheme. I am happy to discuss eligibility for legal aid with any client free of charge. It is best to contact me sooner rather than later (preferably before you are interviewed by the police).

Due to the current rules to complete a legal aid form it will be necessary to know your national insurance number, see details of income (either benefits, wages or accounts) and obtain your bank details (recent bank statement). It may also be necessary to ask about details of your spouse/partner including their national insurance number.

The MoD have their own legal aid scheme which will cover appearances at PACE interviews. It is best to arrange for the service police to contact me before any interview. I no longer undertake Court Martial work as there are no military Courts sitting in Scotland.

If in doubt it is better to complete an application and let the Scottish Legal Aid Boad determine if you qualify. I do not charge for this. Generally speaking once granted legal aid will cover an applicant until the conclusion of a case. It may also be extended to cover appeal work (if required).

I expect a number of changes to legal aid over 2010 to include the Scottish Legal Aid Board assuming control for solemn legal aid and likely changes in practice once the decision in Cadder v HMA is released by the Supreme Court in October 10.