Legal Aid Agency
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 | |
| Formation | 1 April 2013 |
|---|---|
| Legal status | Executive Agency |
| Headquarters | London |
Region served | England and Wales |
Chief Executive | Jane Harbottle |
| Website | gov |
The Legal Aid Agency is an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) in the United Kingdom. It provides both civil and criminal legal aid and advice in England and Wales.[1] The agency was formed on 1 April 2013 as a replacement for the Legal Services Commission, which unlike the Legal Aid Agency, was a non-departmental public body of the MoJ. This change was enacted by the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 to allow for greater ministerial control over the UK government's legal aid budget.
Until recently, the agency's Chief Executive, the Director of Legal Casework, was Shaun McNally (since April 2016).[2] However, in March 2021 this role has now been taken over by Jane Harbottle, who has herself confirmed "it is an honour."[3]
The Chief Executive's role primarily involved achieving the departments policies, ensuring a diverse and competent workforce, as well as making sure the Legal Aid Agency meets statutory obligations.[4] It is also his or her decision about legal aid funding in individual cases.[5]
Achievements
In 2019, the Legal Aid Agency processed 91% of civil applications for legal aid within 20 days, and 100% of crime applications within 2 days. In total, they processed 400,000 applications for legal aid.[4]
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