I’ve been fortunate enough throughout my life that I haven’t required the use of a solicitor and, touch wood, the only time I’ll need one is when I buy my first home. But you don’t always know when you might need a solicitor and you can almost never plan for an event that would require one. 

Solicitors can be expensive, and the events that would require one can be sudden, complicated and traumatic. So people need to be able to access justice without cost as a barrier, and that’s why Legal Aid exists. To help pay solicitor’s fees for those who can’t afford to do so on their own. 

And it is a vital service. Citizens Advice Bureaux throughout Scotland spend a lot of time helping people find Legal Aid solicitors locally. The uncapped and demand-led nature........

© Herald Scotland