The SNP government has promised to set out legislation to reform legal aid in the next 12 months.
Published 13th Oct 2026, 05:00 BST
The body that provides legal aid in Scotland has called for "transformational change” to be brought forward in the SNP government’s blueprint to overhaul support.
The Scottish government is poised to bring forward plans to reform, modernise, simplify, and sustain the Scotland's publicly-funded legal aid system amid concerns over “accessibility, sustainability and performance” of the current set-up.
Ahead of the final plans being drawn up, the Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) has today set out its vision for a transformed legal aid system it argues will meet changing needs of the people of Scotland.
In its response to the Scottish government’s consultation on legal aid reform, SLAB has called for a new approach it claims would protect the interests of justice and make a significant contribution to public policy objectives.
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Central to the detailed submission from SLAB is a commitment to maintaining operational independence from ministers, regardless of the government of the day, while enhancing access to justice so that people can protect their rights, resolve legal issues and settle disputes.
The ambitious proposals would also see SLAB work closely with stakeholders to develop strategic plans to deliver agreed public policy objectives, including supporting action to reduce poverty, advance equality and provide access to agreed levels of help on priority issues.
Chief executive of SLAB, Colin Lancaster, said: “Legal aid reform is not just welcome, it’s essential.
“Transformational change is required for the system to deliver what is rightly expected by the public and parliament and that vision is at the heart of our consultation response.
“We know the current system is reactive, unplanned, and has very few mechanisms to direct resources towards areas of need.”
READ MORE: Peter Murrell has legal aid pulled
He added: “We must do what we can to change that and that is why we are fully committed to the Scottish government’s plans to reform the legal aid system over the coming years.
“We are ready to drive change in support of this approach and look forward to working with all stakeholders to reshape the legal aid system as a public service.
“Crucially, rather than simply administering the system, there is an opportunity for us to make a real difference towards agreed strategic outcomes.”
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SLAB’s proposals include a vision for a modern and simplified system.
The organisation’s submission states that legal aid should assist people to uphold their rights where they could not otherwise afford to do so, with cases funded independently of the government of the day.
It adds that with legal aid being part of a wider system of publicly-funded legal assistance, it should help the justice system work effectively. SLAB has added that decisions about legal aid should therefore take account of that wider landscape, including through consultation and engagement with others.
Chairman of SLAB, Bill Moyes, said: “As a board we are fully behind the Scottish government’s ambition to reform the legal aid system.
“We are rightly proud of the impact the current system has had, and continues to have, on people in communities across the country but we know we can go further if meaningful change is delivered.
“We have a generational opportunity to redesign a system that was created to protect the most vulnerable in society and to make sure it is fit-for-purpose for years to come. That is an opportunity we must capitalise on.”
First Minister John Swinney included a vow to bring forward a Legal Aid (Scotland) Bill in the next 12 years in his programme for government.