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Legal Matters
Scotland
Scotland reviews legal aid rules after Murrell case

The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on legal aid reform that could introduce repayment rules for criminal cases, following scrutiny of the support received by Peter Murrell. The former SNP chief executive qualified for means-tested legal aid after prosecutors froze his assets, but current Scottish rules do not require repayment if funds are later released. The proposed changes aim to create a more consistent system across civil and criminal legal aid. Scotland's legal aid budget reached a record £169m in 2024/25, supporting around 170,000 grants. The review will inform a new Legal Aid (Scotland) Bill. Law Society of Scotland president Serena Sutherland said: "The current arrangements make it unsustainable for many solicitors to provide legal aid funded advice to people who need their help. These legal aid reforms must rise to the challenge."

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