ABSTRACT
The term 'legal aid' is still used as a descriptive, non-technical term to refer to state-funded services. It is run by the Legal Services Commission (LSC) and assists over two million people each year. Civil legal aid work covers family, immigration, social welfare, mental health, and personal injury, clinical disputes, and consumer general contract, actions against police, public law and education. The Criminal Defence Service (CDS), known as Criminal Legal Aid (CRLA) from 1 April 2013, uses criminal legal aid to help people who are under investigation or facing criminal charges. The creation of the CDS was part of the government's fundamental reform of the legal aid system, as set out in the Access to Justice Act 1999. The CDS was implemented and managed by the LSC, which was also created by the Access to Justice Act 1999. Solicitors are required to work within quality-assured contracts to perform CDS functions.
