About the Legal Aid Agency
The Legal Aid Agency provides both civil and criminal legal aid and advice in England and Wales.
Our work is essential to the fair, effective and efficient operation of the civil and criminal justice systems. We are a delivery organisation which commissions and procures legal aid services from providers (solicitors, barristers and the not-for-profit sector).
Governance
The Legal Aid Agency is an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice. It came into existence on 1 April 2013 following the abolition of the Legal Services Commission as a result of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders (LASPO) Act 2012.
The Act created the new statutory office of the Director of Legal Casework. The Director will take decisions on the funding of individual cases. Processes have been put in place to ensure the Legal Aid Agency is able to demonstrate independence of decision-making. There will be an annual report published about these decisions.
Our strategic objectives
Our priorities are to:
- improve casework to reduce cost, enhance control and give better customer service
- improve organisational capability to meet the challenges ahead, including developing and engaging our people
- build and maintain strong partnerships to secure quality provision and contribute fully to wider justice and Government aims
Other parts of our organisation
Public Defender Service
The Public Defender Service (PDS) is a salaried criminal defence provider.
The PDS provides independent advice, assistance and representation on criminal matters.
PDS lawyers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to:
- give advice to people in custody
- represent clients in magistrates’, crown and higher courts where necessary.
There are four PDS offices:
- Cheltenham
- Darlington
- Pontypridd
- Swansea
All PDS employees must observe the code made under s29 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012.
Civil Legal Advice
Civil Legal Advice (CLA) is a national advice service for England and Wales, paid for by legal aid. You can find out more about Civil Legal Advice at www.gov.uk/civil-legal-advice
