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The eligibility threshold for criminal legal aid in the magistrates’ court is shockingly low and...
Conclusion
The eligibility threshold for criminal legal aid in the magistrates’ court is shockingly low and is contributing to increasing levels of self-representation. It is a clear denial of justice that an individual working for the national minimum wage may earn too much to be eligible for legal aid in the magistrates’ court. (Conclusion, Paragraph 11)
Source
Committee
Justice Committee
Inquiry
Access to Justice
Report
3rd Report – Access to Justice: Legal Aid
17 Jul 2026
HC 541
Addressee Bodies
Ministry of Justice
Timeline
Report published
17 Jul 2026