The MoJ has published the latest quarterly statistics bulletin showing take up of legal aid cases. The figures make for depressing reading. In summary:
- The crime figures continue to fall year on year, with a 7% reduction in crime lower work but a 14% fall in expenditure
- 13% fewer Crown Court representation orders were granted and 3% fewer Crown Court cases completed;
- Civil legal aid volumes are running at one third of pre-LASPO levels, and continue to fall – matter starts were down 6% and certificates down 7% compared to the same quarter last year
- Within that, there are variations for individual categories of law:
- overall, family work has fallen by 6%, but family mediation is going up – starts by 19% and assessments by 33%
- mental health starts have fallen by 4%
- immigration work has increased by 1% and housing by 2%
- other categories are small, but in most cases going down – most noticeably in actions against the police and public law, though community care is going up
- Exceptional funding application numbers have fallen by 12% over the last year, and the grant rate is 8% lower than the previous quarter (though 11% higher than last year). Most grants were for family (33% of the total), immigration (41%) and inquests (13%)
Legal Aid Handbook 