Legal aid widens

LEGAL_AID_WIDENS_

Legal aid is to be extended to the VAT and Duties Tribunal, the General and Special Commissioners of Income Tax, and the Protection of Children...Legal aid is to be extended to the VAT and Duties Tribunal, the General and Special Commissioners of Income Tax, and the Protection of Children Act Tribunal, the Lord Chancellor, Lord Irvine, announced this week.

The first two are to receive legal aid because of the financial penalties they can uphold and the consequent fair trial requirements of the Human Rights Act 1998.

Lord Irvine explained that he was extending legal aid to the Protection of Children Act Tribunal because of the overwhelming importance to the individuals concerned.