Scottish Legal Aid Board
Encyclopedia
The Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) is an executive non-departmental public body
of the Scottish Government, responsible for managing legal aid
in Scotland
. It was established in April 1987, under the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986, taking over functions previously exercised by the Law Society
.
In 2006 it had an annual budget of approximately £164 million.
This was reinforced by an 1587 Act of the Scots Parliament:
Scottish public bodies
Public bodies of the Scottish Government are organisations that are funded by the Scottish Government. It includes executive and advisory non-departmental public bodies ; tribunals; and nationalised industries....
of the Scottish Government, responsible for managing legal aid
Legal aid
Legal aid is the provision of assistance to people otherwise unable to afford legal representation and access to the court system. Legal aid is regarded as central in providing access to justice by ensuring equality before the law, the right to counsel and the right to a fair trial.A number of...
in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. It was established in April 1987, under the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986, taking over functions previously exercised by the Law Society
Law Society of Scotland
The Law Society of Scotland is the professional governing body for Scottish solicitors.It promotes excellence among solicitors through representation, support and regulation of its members. It also promotes the interests of the public in relation to the profession...
.
In 2006 it had an annual budget of approximately £164 million.
History
Providing free legal assistance in Scotland is based on the Poor’s Roll of 1424:
“and gif there bee onie pure creature, for faulte of cunning, or expenses, that cannot, nor may not follow his cause, the King for the love of GOD, sall ordain the judge to purwey and get a leill and a wise Advocate, to follow sik pure creatures causes”
This was reinforced by an 1587 Act of the Scots Parliament:
“quhatsumever lieges of this Realme accused of treason, or for quatsumever crime… full libertie to provide himselfe of Advocates and Praeloquutoures, in competent numbers to defend his life, honour and land, against quhatsumever accusation”.