Ahead of a new Legal Aid (Scotland) Bill, Scottish Government is seeking views on proposals to modernise Scotland’s legal aid system, with a public online consultation now open for responses.

Legal aid provides publicly funded assistance to help people pursue or defend their civil legal rights, or access legal representation in criminal cases when they cannot afford to do so. Scotland’s legal aid system currently supports around 170,000 grants each year, with expenditure reaching a record £169 million in 2024/25.

The consultation proposes a range of reforms aimed at creating a more accessible and efficient system. These include simplifying processes, reducing duplication, improving access for people using legal aid, and giving accredited solicitors greater autonomy to deliver services.

These proposals build on a number of reforms already underway, including:

a 13% increase in solicitor fees from September 2026
reforms to children’s and criminal legal aid, due to be implemented by the end of the year
a new £1.5 million Legal Aid Traineeship Fund to support up to 40 trainees across Scotland
the establishment of the Independent Fee Review Mechanism Group to consider longer-term improvements to the legal assistance system.

Organisations and individuals with an interest in legal aid are encouraged to share their views and help “shape a fairer, more accessible system for the future”.

The deadline for responses is Tuesday 13 October 2026.

For further information, including how to submit your response, please visit the Scottish Government website (linked for your convenience).