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Criminal Defence Service Act 2006
The Criminal Defence Service Bill will maximise the resources available to the legal aid system, providing a fairer, more comprehensive service to those who require legal assistance.
Key changes include the introduction of means testing at magistrate court level, ensuring that legal aid is given to those who genuinely cannot afford to pay for representation. Those who can pay for their legal costs, and are later charged will be reimbursed the full cost.
It is estimated that means testing will facilitate annual savings of £35 million.
The Bill also seeks to balance the allocation of legal aid funds, ensuring that the high cost of criminal legal aid does not further erode the civil legal aid scheme.
Progress
House of Lords
First reading: May 25 2005 (HL Bill 4)
Second reading: June 13 2005
Grand Committee: June 28 2005
Report: October 17 2005
Third reading: October 24 2005
House of Commons
First reading: October 24 2005 (HC Bill 64)
Second reading: December 13 2005
Standing Committee A: January 10 2006 (am)
The Bill as amended: HC Bill 109
Remaining stages: January 26 2006
House of Lords
Consideration of Commons amendments: March 13 2006
Royal assent: March 30 2006
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