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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)
Addressee Bodies
Ministry of Justice
Timeline
Report published 17 Jul 2026