CAS provided written evidence for the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee’s Inquiry on civil legal assistance and grant funding. Highlighting the fundamental importance of the Legal Aid system and our ongoing concerns about people across Scotland experiencing difficulties in accessing legal aid, our submission called for urgent and coherent access to justice reforms. With regard to Civil Legal Aid we argued:  
•    The Legal Aid system should place rights-holders who need access to legal advice and representation at its heart. 
•    There should be a significant shift in resources towards early intervention and prevention. 
•    The process by which rights-holders apply for legal aid should be simplified while maintaining/extending its broad scope. 
•    Current barriers to accessing civil legal assistance including: a lack of knowledge and information; a lack of legal aid solicitors; administrative hurdles and barriers; and restrictions on the scope of legal aid need to be addressed. 
Download the publication below.