Significant changes in access to justice and the operation of legal aid during the next three years were highlighted today when the Scottish Legal Aid Board published its Corporate Plan 2003-2006.

The plan summaries the Board's progress during the past year and sets out what it aims to achieve during the coming three years. The Board has identified three key themes to its strategy for 2003-2006:

* increasing access to quality assured legal advice, assistance and representation for those who need it and who qualify for legal aid

* working with others to improve the efficient and effective operation of the legal aid system and its interaction with the justice system

* increasing the Board's efficiency and effectiveness, and providing increased value for money.

Jean Couper, Chairman of the Scottish Legal Aid Board said:
"Legal aid is an important public service for many people who do not have the resources to assert their legal rights. Our Corporate Plan sets out what we aim to achieve over the next three years. We anticipate significant changes in access to justice and the operation of legal aid. We will play a full part in the development of the legal aid system which provides increased access to justice for those who need it."

The plan sets out the main projects and tasks which the Board will deliver and shows its approach to delivering the objectives and performance indicators and targets. Amongst the key issues are:

* achieving performance targets, the key measures of the Board's operational performance

* the implementation of the reform of civil legal aid by 1 October 2003

* making all Board services available through e-business by 2005.

ENDS

Journalists please contact: Colin Sim tel 0131 226 7061, direct 0131 240 2033.

Notes for editors

1. Copies of the Corporate Plan are available from the Board and on this website

2. Legal aid allows people who would not otherwise be able to afford it to get help for their legal problems. Legal aid and advice and assistance can only be accessed through a soliciotr.

3. The Scottish Legal Aid Board was set up in 1987 to manage legal aid in Scotland. The Board employs around 330 full-time staff. Twelve Board members, appointed by Scottish Ministers, oversee the work.

The Board's mission is to promote the development and delivery of appropriate access to quality legal assistance for those eligible, in a cost effective manner. The Board's main tasks are to consider whether to grant or refuse applications for civil or criminal legal aid; examine accounts and pay solicitors and advocates for the legal aid work they do, collect contributions and expenses for civil legal aid, register firms and solicitors for criminal legal assistance, investigate and pursue abuse of legal aid, advise Scottish Ministers on legal aid matters and manage the Legal Aid Fund.

4. In 2001/2002 433,641 advice and assistance and legal aid applications were granted and the total gross expenditure on legal aid was £135.9 million.

5. The Board has two linked websites: www.slab.org.uk and for the profession, www.slabpro.org.uk