Annual budget reduction for Legal Aid Service due to annual underspending
Guernsey Legal Aid Service: Budget Reduction, Debt, and Appointments
The Guernsey Legal Aid Service, a crucial institution providing legal support to those in need, has seen some significant changes in its budget and operations over the past few years.
In 2025, the service is facing a 32.2% cut in funding, reducing its budget to £2m. This reduction comes after a year of underspending, with the service having an excess of £680,000 in 2024, following an underspend of £449,000 in 2020 and £667,000 in 2023.
The total expenditure for the service in 2024 was £2.279m, with the majority going towards legal aid work. In an effort to attract more professionals, the hourly rate for Advocates, Non-Admitted Lawyers, and Paralegals undertaking legal aid work was increased to £174.50 in February 2024.
Despite the budget reductions, the service has been busy. Criminal applications processed by the Legal Aid Service in Guernsey increased from 133 in 2023 to 145 in 2024. Meanwhile, civil applications decreased from 323 in 2023 to 284 in 2024.
The report also reveals that 409 Green Form matters were handled in 2024, with minimal civil expenditure for Alderney and Sark. In 2024, Alderney had four civil cases and three criminal cases, and Sark had no civil cases and two criminal cases approved. Guernsey had £208k in civil debt and £307k in criminal debt, while Alderney had £3k in civil debt and £2k in criminal debt, and Sark had £49k in civil debt and £1k in criminal debt. As of the end of 2024, the total value of civil and criminal debtors was £570k, with some debts dating back to 2007.
A new law was implemented on July 19, 2024, removing full legal aid funding for divorce proceedings from the Civil Legal Aid Scheme.
In other personnel news, Advocate Jason Hill was appointed as the new Deputy Legal Aid Commissioner. The long-serving Legal Aid Administrator, Lucy Haywood, is set to depart.
Administration costs for the Legal Aid Service in Guernsey amounted to £395,000 in 2024. The net value of legal aid debtors shows a significant difference in outstanding debt across the Bailiwick.
The budget reductions and changes in the Legal Aid Service are expected to have a significant impact on the provision of legal aid in Guernsey, Alderney, and Sark. The service continues to adapt and respond to these changes, ensuring that those in need of legal aid continue to receive the support they require.
Read also:
- Potential Consequences of Dismantling FEMA Vary Across States
- Railway line in Bavaria threatened by unstable slope - extensive construction site at risk
- Wind Farm Controversy on the Boundary of Laois and Kilkenny
- Puerto Rico's Climate Lawfare Campaign experiences another setback with the dismissal of its deals.
