Access to Justice Review
The Law Society welcomes that the review of the provision of Legal Aid in the Isle of Man now has as its overarching principle Access to Justice and quality of services as indicated by the Treasury Minister, the Honourable Alfred Cannon MHK. Law Society President Tim Swift says:
“Since the initial review of the provision of Legal Aid and representation in criminal matters the Law Society has emphasised that these principles are central. We are pleased that the Treasury have now confirmed this approach.
The extension of the review to Civil Legal Aid was anticipated and the Law Society will engage fully with it.
Naturally financial considerations are a major factor in relation to Legal Aid but we do not want to go the way of England and Wales where the justice system and access to justice is creaking at its seams. The people of the Isle of Man deserve better than that.
I note that reference has been made to an expenditure of £3.8 million per annum on Legal Aid as an average over the last five years. This figure of course includes expenditures on the Government Administration of the Scheme, Court fees and payments made by advocates to experts and others in cases, it also includes VAT, which is of course a source of Government Income. It is not all money in the pockets of lawyer!.
The Law Society will continue with the promotion of the interests of the public in relation to the provision of legal services.