| gen. |
legal aid (assistance to litigants that they might be able to avail themselves of the usually expensive legal process. In the UK, various schemes have existed from time to time, usually inspired by the legal profession's acceptance of a duty to do work for the less fortunate. There are three main forms of legal aid operated by the Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB): (1) advice and assistance (the pink form scheme), which, subject to the means of the applicant, allows the solicitor to give legal advice. On some specified occasions, court appearances may be possible under the scheme called ABWOR – assistance by way of representation; (2) civil legal aid, which allows a court action to be raised or defended. Means are assessed, and the SLAB must be satisfied that the case has merit. As well as allowing the litigant legal services (perhaps subject to a contribution) a legal aid certificate can allow the court to reduce or waive the legal expenses normally payable by a losing litigant; (3) criminal legal aid is available for the defence of criminal charges. CDL Alexander Demidov) |
