McArthur issues fresh call for government to address legal aid shortages in islands
Orkney’s MSP Liam McArthur has once again highlighted the risk that island communities such as Orkney may become ‘legal aid deserts’ in light of reports from the Scottish Legal Aid Board that over 439 solicitors in Scotland have left court and police duty programmes between 2021-2023.
Speaking during Portfolio Questions in the Scottish Parliament earlier today, Mr. McArthur revealed that Orkney is currently without a court or police duty solicitor and emphasised that island communities like Orkney are uniquely vulnerable in the context of reductions in legal aid solicitor numbers. Orkney’s MSP asked the minister if she recognised the risk and, if so, what specific and targeted steps were being taken to ensure equitable access to justice for island communities.
Siobhian Brown, Minister for Victims and Community Safety, responded by confirming that the Scottish Legal Aid Board is currently undertaking a comprehensive analysis at a geographical and subject matter level to assess levels of legal aid activity across Scotland, and to see how it can be improved.
Speaking after the exchange, Orkney’s MSP said:
“I have repeatedly raised the growing threat that areas such as Orkney, and other rural and island communities will become ‘legal aid deserts’.
“The Law Society Scotland has been issuing similar warnings for some time and has now withdrawn from talks with the government after “losing confidence in any positive outcome”.
“That leaves communities like Orkney in a particularly vulnerable position.
“While I welcome the Minister’s confirmation that the Scottish Legal Aid Board is conducting a comprehensive review of legal aid activity across Scotland, this needs to look at the very specific needs of rural and island communities.
“Access to justice cannot be allowed to become a postcode lottery. If equitable access requires Ministers to take targeted measures to address the needs of rural and island communities, that is what they must do.”