On 5 January 2023, the government announced that it is to conduct a review of the civil legal aid market, with the stated aims of improving efficiency and long-term sustainability. It will commission external analysis to understand how people access funding and support.

The analysis is set to cover all categories of civil legal aid, as well as the value for money of future policy options alongside budget restraints. It will also assess other comparable countries’ legal aid systems and further data will be published on how civil legal aid is accessed and delivered in England and Wales. The final report is not due until 2024.

Legal Aid Practitioners Group CEO Chris Minnoch will set out his initial thoughts about the review in the March 2023 issue of Legal Action and we will report on further details as they emerge.