High-level talks are taking place about breaking the logjam in granting civil legal aid in Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) cases, the conference heard.

Jane Earl, ARA director, said the agency was 'in active discussions' with the Legal Services Commission, the Department for Constitutional Affairs and the Home Office about the problem.


She said: 'The impact of legal aid funding not being granted as one would hope means that cases cannot go ahead. In the interests of fairness and equity, I have no desire to see cases brought before the court without legal representation.'


Ms Earl told delegates that the ARA - a non-ministerial government department set up under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 - was still in its infancy.


'We have learnt a lot but there is still very much to be done,' Ms Earl advised.