The government has called for a new focus on legal aid contracting arrangements for mentally ill people, with a view to getting a revised system up and running by next summer.

Unveiling a report on mental health and social exclusion this week, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) said people with mental health problems were among the least likely to seek legal advice, with up to 60% believing nothing could be done to help.

This was despite the fact that such clients were highly likely to experience legal problems; more than one in six clients dealt with by charity Citizens Advice has at least one mental health problem.

Some 80% of those who pursued their cases initially acted without seeking help from an adviser.

People from ethnic minority communities were particularly at risk, the report said.

The ODPM recommended a contracting regime to provide easier access to services for vulnerable individuals both in hospital and in the community, calling for consultation on the changes this year and the introduction of pilots in mid-2005.

It also suggested improving referral systems between advice agencies, along with greater provision of local schemes.

A spokesman for the Legal Services Commission (LSC) said it is considering ways to improve the delivery of mental health services to clients, including creating a more holistic approach.

The LSC will also be taking into account any potential changes to mental health law in the near future.

He added: 'The commission intends to develop this work to form the basis of a consultation exercise on mental health services before the end of 2004.'

Law Society President Peter Williamson said any new system must be coupled with more funding to ensure an adequate supply of practitioners.

'Piloting should focus on ensuring easier access to services and better meeting the needs of minority ethnic service users,' he said.

Paula Rohan