Closed 90 events
Lifecycle stage Royal Assent
3,653 days in stage

Criminal Legal Aid Reform

Criminal legal aid reform addresses sustainability and profitability concerns in the criminal defence legal services market, with the Ministry of Justice and Legal Aid Agency reviewing fee structures, implementation timelines, and long-term funding mechanisms. The Criminal Records Bill and related measures are under consideration to modernise the system. The policy is active with ongoing stakeholder consultation and fee review processes.


Showing 90 key signals from 133 total
Family
Signal
Year
Body
Role

2026

5 events

2025

7 events

2024

8 events

2023

3 events

2022

8 events

2021

9 events
7 Apr 2021 | Consultation outcome Legal Aid Agency Ministry of Justice linked

Criminal Legal Aid Review: Remuneration for pre-charge engagement — outcome published

Seeking views on proposals to introduce new remuneration arrangements for work associated with engagement with prosecution authorities at the pre-charge stage.

26 Jan 2021 | Consultation outcome Legal Aid Agency Ministry of Justice linked

Criminal Legal Aid Review: Remuneration for pre-charge engagement — consultation closed

Seeking views on proposals to introduce new remuneration arrangements for work associated with engagement with prosecution authorities at the pre-charge stage.

2020

5 events
14 Dec 2020 | Consultation outcome Legal Aid Agency Ministry of Justice linked

Criminal Legal Aid Review: Remuneration for pre-charge engagement — consultation opened

Seeking views on proposals to introduce new remuneration arrangements for work associated with engagement with prosecution authorities at the pre-charge stage.

21 Aug 2020 | Consultation outcome Legal Aid Agency Ministry of Justice linked

Criminal Legal Aid Review: An accelerated package of measures amending the criminal legal aid fee schemes — outcome published

A consultation on an accelerated package of measures amending the criminal legal aid fee schemes, as part of the Criminal Legal Aid Review.

18 Jun 2020 | Consultation outcome Legal Aid Agency Ministry of Justice linked

Criminal Legal Aid Review: An accelerated package of measures amending the criminal legal aid fee schemes — consultation closed

A consultation on an accelerated package of measures amending the criminal legal aid fee schemes, as part of the Criminal Legal Aid Review.

28 Feb 2020 | Consultation outcome Legal Aid Agency Ministry of Justice linked

Criminal Legal Aid Review: An accelerated package of measures amending the criminal legal aid fee schemes — consultation opened

A consultation on an accelerated package of measures amending the criminal legal aid fee schemes, as part of the Criminal Legal Aid Review.

13 Jan 2020 | Bill stage linked

Criminal Records Bill [HL]

First Reading 15:26:00 A Bill to amend the length of time for which an individual may have a criminal record under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The Bill was introduced by Lord Ramsbotham, read a first time and ordered …

2019

1 event
22 Oct 2019 | Bill stage linked

Criminal Records Bill [HL]

First Reading 15:20:00 A Bill to amend the length of time for which an individual may have a criminal record under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The Bill was introduced by Lord Ramsbotham, read a first time and ordered …

2018

5 events
26 Apr 2018 | Consultation outcome Legal Aid Agency Ministry of Justice linked

Reforming the Advocates’ Graduated Fee Scheme — outcome published

Seeking views on proposals for the reform of the funding scheme which pays advocates to defend clients in the Crown Court.

23 Feb 2018 | Bill stage linked

Criminal Records Bill [HL]

Second Reading 13:54:00 Moved by Lord Ramsbotham: That the Bill be now read a second time. Lord Ramsbotham (CB): My Lords, I declare an interest as president of Unlock, the charity for people with criminal convictions, which, for years, has …

2017

9 events
29 Jun 2017 | Bill stage linked

Criminal Records Bill [HL]

First Reading 11:39:00 A Bill to amend the length of time for which an individual may have a criminal record under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The Bill was introduced by Baroness Butler-Sloss (on behalf of Lord Ramsbotham), read …

11 May 2017 | Consultation (closed) Ministry of Justice linked

Legal aid financial eligibility and Universal Credit — consultation closed

This consultation sets out the government proposals for amending the legal aid financial eligibility system in England and Wales during the roll out of Universal Credit.

16 Mar 2017 | Consultation (closed) Ministry of Justice linked

Legal aid financial eligibility and Universal Credit — consultation opened

This consultation sets out the government proposals for amending the legal aid financial eligibility system in England and Wales during the roll out of Universal Credit.

2 Mar 2017 | Consultation outcome Legal Aid Agency Ministry of Justice linked

Reforming the Advocates’ Graduated Fee Scheme — consultation closed

Seeking views on proposals for the reform of the funding scheme which pays advocates to defend clients in the Crown Court.

5 Jan 2017 | Consultation outcome Legal Aid Agency Ministry of Justice linked

Reforming the Advocates’ Graduated Fee Scheme — consultation opened

Seeking views on proposals for the reform of the funding scheme which pays advocates to defend clients in the Crown Court.

2016

14 events

2015

10 events
26 Feb 2015 | Consultation outcome Legal Aid Agency linked

Asiantaeth Cymorth Cyfreithiol: Cynllun Iaith Gymraeg — outcome published

Mae’r Asiantaeth Cymorth Cyfreithiol yn gwahodd y cyhoedd i gymryd rhan mewn ymgynghoriad ar ei Gynllun Iaith Gymraeg. Mae’r cynllun drafft hwn yn nodi sut y byddwn yn ymdrin â’r iaith Gymraeg a’r iaith Saesneg mewn modd cyfartal.

2014

6 events
14 Nov 2014 | Consultation outcome Legal Aid Agency linked

Asiantaeth Cymorth Cyfreithiol: Cynllun Iaith Gymraeg — consultation closed

Mae’r Asiantaeth Cymorth Cyfreithiol yn gwahodd y cyhoedd i gymryd rhan mewn ymgynghoriad ar ei Gynllun Iaith Gymraeg. Mae’r cynllun drafft hwn yn nodi sut y byddwn yn ymdrin â’r iaith Gymraeg a’r iaith Saesneg mewn modd cyfartal.

22 Aug 2014 | Consultation outcome Legal Aid Agency linked

Asiantaeth Cymorth Cyfreithiol: Cynllun Iaith Gymraeg — consultation opened

Mae’r Asiantaeth Cymorth Cyfreithiol yn gwahodd y cyhoedd i gymryd rhan mewn ymgynghoriad ar ei Gynllun Iaith Gymraeg. Mae’r cynllun drafft hwn yn nodi sut y byddwn yn ymdrin â’r iaith Gymraeg a’r iaith Saesneg mewn modd cyfartal.