Stage 1 evidence to the Justice Committee on the Scottish Civil Justice Council and Criminal Legal Assistance Bill

In 2011/2012, there were 5,500 representations made by Citizens Advice Bureaux on behalf of clients including Bureaux staff and legal clinics. The Citizens Advice Mediation project successfully mediated over 80% of the cases referred to them by the Sheriffs in Edinburgh Sheriff Court. These referrals represent 90% of the civil business in Edinburgh Sheriff Court. As an organisation who represents clients in the civil justice system we have commented only on the civil provisions of the Bill.