Criminal Legal Aid

Closed 21 Nov 2019

Opened 23 Sep 2019

Results expected 20 Dec 2019

Contact

Joanne Hetherington

(Legal Aid Research & Project Manager)

Attorney General’s Chambers

+44 1624 682347

joanne.hetherington@attgen.gov.im

Feedback updated 12 Nov 2021

We asked

We sought people’s views:

On the Island's current Criminal Legal Aid provision, and the feasibility of alternative approaches in the future.

In particular:

  • which aspects of Criminal Legal Aid are considered to work well and should continue
  • which aspects are considered not to work well and could benefit from improvement
  • if any potential changes or alternative schemes could better deliver Criminal Legal Aid in future

We were keen to hear from:

  • Criminal Legal Aid service users 
  • Members of the public 
  • Members of the Judiciary & the Courts
  • Criminal Defence Advocates
  • Prosecutors
  • IoM Law Society & members
  • Department of Home Affairs, IOM Constabulary, IOM Prison & Probation Service
  • Charities
  • Appropriate Adult Scheme volunteers
  • Interpreters at the Police Station or in Court 
  • Tynwald Members

The consultation contained 15 sections and 69 questions, and respondents could answer as many or as few questions as they wished. 

Additional stakeholder engagement was undertaken by means of a series of workshops which were held with the IoM Law Society, IoM Constabulary and prisoners at the IoM Prison, Jurby. In total, 9 workshops were held, and feedback was gathered from participants

You said

We received 203 responses to the consultation. Views were expressed on a wide range of matters including:

  • Awareness of Criminal Legal Aid schemes
  • Police Station Duty Advocate & Court Duty Advocate Scheme
  • Appropriate Adult Scheme
  • Interpreters
  • Full Criminal Legal Aid
  • Self-representation
  • Legal Aid rates
  • Fixed fees
  • Public Defender Scheme 

We did

We prepared a Criminal Legal Aid Results & Analysis Report.

We also undertook a Civil Legal Aid consultation and prepared a Civil Legal Aid Results & Analysis Report.

Both reports were considered by HM Attorney General, and a Legal Aid Review Options & Recommendations Report was prepared for submission to the Legal Aid Committee which has responsibility for Legal Aid policy by virtue of s23(6)(a) of the Legal Aid Act 1986.

Overview

This consultation is part of a wider 'Legal Aid Review' project, which is being led by HM Attorney General on behalf of the Council of Ministers. The project is being carried out in two parts to reflect both types of Legal Aid available in the Island, which are Criminal and Civil. This consultation deals with Criminal Legal Aid only.

The aim of the project is to develop policy options for the sustainable provision of Legal Aid in the Island which:

  • maintain or improve access to justice
  • support the delivery of quality services
  • provide value for money for the taxpayer

These policy options will be submitted to the Legal Aid Committee, which is an independent body responsible for Legal Aid policy in the Isle of Man.

Why your views matter

The purpose of this consultation is to seek people’s views on the Island's current Criminal Legal Aid provision, and explore the feasibility of alternative approaches in the future.

In particular:

  • which aspects of Criminal Legal Aid are considered to work well and should continue
  • which aspects are considered not to work well and could benefit from improvement
  • if any potential changes or alternative schemes could better deliver Criminal Legal Aid in future

We would like to hear from:

  • Criminal Legal Aid service users 
  • Members of the public 
  • Members of the Judiciary & the Courts
  • Criminal Defence Advocates
  • Prosecutors
  • IoM Law Society & members
  • Department of Home Affairs, IOM Constabulary, IOM Prison & Probation Service
  • Charities
  • Appropriate Adult Scheme volunteers
  • Interpreters at the Police Station or in Court 
  • Tynwald Members

What happens next

Responses to this Criminal Legal Aid consultation will be analysed and a summary of results will be published within 12 weeks of the closing date.

A public consultation on Civil Legal Aid will be launched later in 2019, and a summary of results will also be published. 

Policy options for the provision of Criminal and Civil Legal Aid will be submitted to the Legal Aid Committee for consideration and decision.

Areas

  • All Areas

Audiences

  • All residents

Interests

  • Police
  • Prison
  • Criminal Justice