Press release
Minister Browne launches Legal Aid Board 2020 Annual Report
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Published on
Last updated on
The Minister of State for Law Reform, Youth Justice and Immigration, James Browne TD, today launched the 2020 Annual Report of the Legal Aid Board. The Legal Aid Board is a statutory independent body responsible for the provision of civil legal aid and advice to people of modest means in accordance with the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995.
Launching the report, Minister Browne said:
"I welcome the opportunity to launch the 2020 Annual Report of the Legal Aid Board. This will be the last Report under the current Chairperson, Mr. Phillip O’Leary, who will complete his second term of office along with several other members this month. They have seen the Board through the 40th Anniversary of its establishment in 1979 as it now approaches half a century of operation.
"On behalf of the government, I wish to thank Mr O’Leary, Chief Executive, Mr John McDaid and all staff members for their hard work and dedication over the past five years."
The Minister continued:
"My department is grateful to the Board for its delivery of key supports to citizens as part of the government’s response to COVID-19. The Board showed ongoing professionalism and commitment to ensuring access to justice for those of limited means throughout the pandemic, and took specific measures to assist those at increased risk of domestic violence. These included setting up a Legal and Mediation Information Helpline and the establishment of a duty solicitor service in Dublin to ensure that no domestic violence case eligible for legal aid was left without representation.
"During a difficult year, the Board still provided assistance to almost 17,000 new clients. Notwithstanding the possible impact of COVID-19 on demand for services, I welcome the reduction the number of people waiting for a first appointment with a solicitor, with 61% of applicants either being taken on as a priority case or referred to a private solicitor without going on a waiting list at all."
The Minister welcomed the Board’s active role in the forthcoming review of the Civil Legal Aid Scheme, the terms of reference of which are currently being finalised. The Civil Legal Aid Scheme helps people of limited means with legal advice and representation to resolve their civil and family disputes.
The Minister also welcomed the work of the Board on the Abhaile scheme, which provides financial and legal assistance for people experiencing insolvency and who are in danger of having their home repossessed. In 2019, the government approved a further three-year extension of Abhaile, with earmarked funding until the end of 2022.
Finally, Minister Browne thanked the Board for its input into the planning and rollout of the department’s Supporting a Victim’s Journey plan to implement the recommendations of the O'Malley Review of Protections for Vulnerable Witnesses In the Investigation and Prosecution of Sexual Offences, which is already introducing important reforms in this area.
The Legal Aid Board is a statutory independent body responsible for the provision of civil legal aid and advice to people of modest means in accordance with the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995. The Board is also responsible for delivery of the State-funded Family Mediation Service.
An additional €3.3m to support the work of the Legal Aid Board, including the provision of legal advice and legal aid service to victims of sexual offences, was provided in Budget 2022.
There were 17,000 applications for the Board’s services in 2020, of which 13,209 were for general Civil Legal Aid including family law matters and 1,174 for legal services in connection with International Protection. Some 1,000 applications related to the Abhaile Scheme, while 3,180 pertained to family mediation services.
In the area of Civil Legal Aid, the Board provides a priority service in cases of domestic violence, child abduction, cases involving the applications by the State to take children into care and cases that have a statutory time limit close to expiry. Approximately 28% of first appointments in 2020 were for prioritised matters. In total, 61% of applicants received either a priority service or were promptly referred to a member of the Board’s private solicitor panels.
In total 39% of applicants were placed on a waiting list for a first appointment with a solicitor. The Board endeavours to provide a first appointment to these within three months. At the end of 2020, there were 1,588 persons on the waiting list, down 21% from 2,019 at the end of 2019.
Under the Abhaile Scheme, there were 346 solicitor consultations and 414 Legal Aid certificates granted for reviews of Personal Insolvency Applications in the Circuit Court. A total of 1,590 new cases attended mediation and 916 formal written agreements were reached.
Dr. Donal Reddington, Director of Corporate Services