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Legal Aid Act 1988

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Changes over time for: Legal Aid Act 1988 (without Schedules)

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Changes to legislation:

Legal Aid Act 1988 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 30 October 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations. Help about Changes to Legislation

Part IE+W Preliminary

F11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F1S. 1 repealed (2.4.2001) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2001/916, art. 3(b) (with transitional provisions and savings in Sch. 2 paras. 2, 5)

F22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F2S. 2 repealed (2.4.2001) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2001/916, art. 3(b) (with transitional provisions and savings in Sch. 2 paras. 2, 5)

Part IIE+W Legal Aid Board and Legal Aid

F33. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F3S. 3 repealed (1.4.2001 in relation to s. 3(5)-(10) and otherwise 2.4.2001) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2000/774, art. 2(c), Sch. (with transitional provisions in arts. 3-5); S.I. 2001/916, art. 3(b) (with transitional provisions and savings in Sch. 2 paras. 2, 5)

F44. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F4S. 4 repealed (1.4.2000 in relation to s. 4(5)(8) and otherwise 2.4.2001) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2000/774, art. 2(c), Sch. (with transitional provisions in arts. 3-5); S.I. 2001/916, art. 3(b) (with transitional provisions and savings in Sch. 2 paras. 2, 5)

F55. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F5S. 5 repealed (1.4.2000) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2000/774, art. 2(c), Sch.(with transitional provisions in arts. 3-5)

F66. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F6S. 6 repealed (1.4.2000) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2000/774, art. 2(c), Sch. (with transitional provisions in arts. 3-5)

F77. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F7S. 7 repealed (1.4.2000) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt.I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2000/774, art. 2(c), Sch. (with transitional provisions in arts. 3-5)

Part IIIU.K. Advice and Assistance

F88. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F8S. 8 repealed (1.4.2000) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2000/774, art. 2(c), Sch. (with transitional provisions in arts. 3-5)

F99. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F9S. 9 repealed (1.4.2000) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2000/774, art. 2(c), Sch. (with transitional provisions in arts. 3-5)

F1010. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F10S. 10 repealed (1.4.2000) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2000/774, art. 2(c), Sch. (with transitional provisions in arts. 3-5)

F1111. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F11S. 11 repealed (1.4.2000) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2000/774, art. 2(c), Sch. (with transitional provisions in arts. 3-5)

F1212. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.

Textual Amendments

F12S. 12 repealed (1.4.2000) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2000/774, art. 2(c), Sch. (with transitional provisions in arts. 3-5)

F1313. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F13S. 13 repealed (1.4.2000) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2000/774, art. 2(c), Sch. (with transitional provisions in arts. 3-5)

[F14Part IIIAE+W Mediation]

Textual Amendments

F14Pt. IIIA (s. 13A) inserted (21.3.1997) by 1996 c. 27, s. 26(1); S.I. 1997/1077, art.2

F1513A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F15S. 13A repealed (1.4.2000) by 1999 s. 22, s. 106, Sch 15 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2000/774, art. 2(c), Sch. (with transitional provisions in arts. 3-5)

F1613B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F16S. 13B repealed (1.4.2000) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2000/774, art. 2(c), Sch. (with transitional provisions in arts. 3-5)

F1713C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F17S. 13C repealed (1.4.2000) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2000/774, art. 2(c), Sch. (with transitional provisions in arts. 3-5)

Part IVU.K. Civil Legal Aid

F1814. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F18S. 14 repealed (1.4.2000) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2000/774, art. 2(c), Sch. (with transitional provisions in arts. 3-5)

F1915. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F19S. 15 repealed (1.4.2000) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2000/774, art. 2(c), Sch. (with transitional provisions in arts. 3-5)

F2016. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F20S. 16 repealed (1.4.2000) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2000/774, art. 2(c), Sch. (with transitional provisions in arts. 3-5)

F2117. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.

Textual Amendments

F21S. 17 repealed (1.4.2000) by 1999 c. 22 s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2000/774, art. 2(c), Sch. (with transitional provisions in arts. 3-5)

F2218. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F22S. 18 repealed (1.4.2000) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2000/774, art. 2(c), Sch. (with transitional provisions in arts. 3-5)

Part VE+W Criminal Legal Aid

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1Pt. V (ss. 19-26) applied (with modifications) (15.3.1996) by S.I. 1996/716, art. 24(1)(b)

Pt. V (ss. 19-26) modified (30.9.1998 in the petty sessions areas and petty sessional divisions noted in S.I. 1998/2327, Sch. 2 and otherwise 1.11.1999) by 1998 c. 37, s. 49(1)(j); S.I. 1998/2327, art. 3(2), Sch.2; S.I. 1999/2976, art. 2

F2319. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F23S. 19 repealed (2.4.2001) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2001/916, art. 3(b) (with transitional provisions and savings in Sch. 2 paras. 2, 5)

F2420. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F24S. 20 repealed (2.4.2001) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2001/916, art. 3(b) (with transitional provisions and savings in Sch. 2 paras. 2, 5)

F2521. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F25S. 21 repealed (2.4.2001) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2001/916, art. 3(b) (with transitional provisions and savings in Sch. 2 paras. 2, 5)

F2622. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F26S. 22 repealed (2.4.2001) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2001/916, art. 3(b) (with transitional provisions and savings in Sch. 2 paras. 2, 5)

F2723. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F27S. 23 repealed (2.4.2001) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2001/916, art. 3(b) (with transitional provisions and savings in Sch. 2 paras. 2, 5)

F2824. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F28S. 24 repealed (2.4.2001) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. I (with Sch. 4 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2001/916, art. 3(b) (with transitional provisions and savings in Sch. 2 paras. 2, 5)

F2925. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F29S. 25 repealed (2.4.2001) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. I (with sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2001/916, art. 3(b) (with transitional provisions and savings in Sch. 2 paras. 2, 5)

F3026. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F30S. 26 repealed (2.4.2001) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2001/916, art. 3(b) (with transitional provisions and savings in Sch. 2 paras. 2, 5)

Part VIE+W Legal Aid in Special Cases

Care proceedingsE+W

F3127. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

F3228. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Contempt proceedingsE+W

F3329. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F33S. 29 repealed (2.4.2001) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2001/916, art. 3(b) (with transitional provisions and savings in Sch. 2 paras. 2, 5)

SupplementaryE+W

F3430. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F34S. 30 repealed (2.4.2001) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2001/916, art. 3(b) (with transitional provisions and savings in Sch. 2 paras. 2, 5)

Part VIIE+W General and Supplementary

F3531. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F35S. 31 repealed (1.4.2000) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2000/774, art. 2(c), Sch. (with transitional provisions in arts. 3-5)

F3632. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F36S. 32 repealed (1.4.2000) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2000/774, art. 2(c), Sch. (with transitional provisions in arts. 3-5) and subject to an amendment (28.8.2000) by S.I. 2000/2127, art. 4

33 Legal aid complaints against barristers and their exclusion from legal aid work.E+W

The following sections shall be substituted for sections 41 and 42 of the M1Administration of Justice Act 1985—

41 Application to legal aid complaints against barristers of disciplinary provisions.

(1)The disciplinary provisions applicable to barristers shall apply to legal aid complaints relating to the conduct of barristers as they apply to other complaints about their conduct.

(2)Subject to any exclusion or restriction made by those provisions, any disciplinary tribunal which hears a legal aid complaint relating to the conduct of a barrister may, if it thinks fit and whether or not it makes any other order, order that any fees—

(a)otherwise payable in connection with his services under or in accordance with the Legal Aid Act 1988, or

(b)otherwise chargeable in connection with his services in respect of advice or assistance made available under Part III of that Act,

shall be reduced or cancelled.

(3)Accordingly, in so far as any of sections 9, 11, 15(6) and (7) and 25(2) of the Legal Aid Act 1988 (which relate to remuneration for legal aid work) has effect in relation to any fees reduced or cancelled by an order under subsection (2) above, it shall so have effect subject to the provisions of that order.

(4)An appeal shall lie in the case of an order under subsection (2) above in the same manner as an appeal would lie in the case of any other order of such a tribunal.

(5)The reference in subsection (2) above to a disciplinary tribunal is a reference to a tribunal acting under the disciplinary provisions applicable to barristers and it includes a reference to a member exercising any functions of the tribunal delegated to him.

42 Exclusion of barristers from legal aid work.

(1)Subject to any exclusion or restriction made by the disciplinary provisions applicable to barristers, where a disciplinary tribunal hears a charge of professional misconduct or breach of professional standards against a barrister, it may order that he shall be excluded from legal aid work, either temporarily or for a specified period, if it determines that there is good reason for the exclusion arising out of—

(a)his conduct in connection with any such services as are mentioned in section 40(1), or

(b)his professional conduct generally.

(2)Subsection (4) of section 41 shall apply to an order under subsection (1) as it applies to an order under subsection (2) of that section.

(3)The disciplinary provisions applicable to barristers shall include provision enabling a barrister who has been excluded from legal aid work under this section to apply for an order terminating his exclusion from such work.

(4)In this section—

(a)the reference to a disciplinary tribunal shall be construed in accordance with section 41(5); and

(b)references to a person being excluded from legal aid work are references to his being excluded from those who may be selected or assigned under section 32 of the Legal Aid Act 1988.

Marginal Citations

F3734. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F37S. 34 repealed (1.4.2000) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2000/774, art. 2(c), Sch. (with transitional provisions in arts. 3-5)

F3835. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F38S. 35 repealed (1.4.2000) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2000/774, art. 2(c), Sch. (with transitional provisions in arts. 3-5)

F3936. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F39S. 36 repealed (1.4.2000) by 1999 c.22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2000/774, art. 2(c), Sch. (with transitional provisions in arts. 3-5)

F4037. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F40S. 37 repealed (1.4.2000) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2000/774, art. 2(c), Sch. (with transitional provisions in arts. 3-5)

F4138. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F41S. 38 repealed (1.4.2000) by 1999 c.22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2000/774, art. 2(c), Sch. (with transitional provisions in arts. 3-5)

F4239. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F42S. 39 repealed (1.4.2000) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2000/774, art. 2(c), Sch. (with transitional provisions in arts. 3-5)

F4340. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F43S. 40 repealed (1.4.2000) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2000/774, art. 2(c), Sch. (with transitional provisions in arts. 3-5)

F4441. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F44S. 41 repealed (2.4.2001) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2001/916, art. 3(b) (with transitional provisions and savings in Sch. 2 paras. 2, 5)

F4542. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F45S. 42 repealed (1.4.2000) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2000/774, art. 2(c), Sch. (with transitional provisions in arts. 3-5)

F4643. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F46S. 43 repealed (2.4.2001) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2001/916, art. 3(b) (with transitional provisions and savings in Sch. 2 paras. 2, 5)

Part VIIIE+W+S Miscellaneous

Scottish provisionsS

44 Scottish provisions.S

The M2Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986 shall have effect subject to the amendments specified in Schedule 4 to this Act.

Marginal Citations

SupplementaryE+W

F4745. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F47S. 45 repealed (1.4.2000) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2000/774, art. 2(c), Sch. (with transitional provisions in arts. 3-5)

F4846. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F48S. 46 repealed (1.4.2000) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. I (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2000/774, art. 2(c), Sch. (with transitional provisions in arts. 3-5)

47 Short title, commencement and extent.E+W

(1)This Act may be cited as the Legal Aid Act 1988.

(2)Subject to subsections (3) and (4) below, this Act shall come into force on such day as the Lord Chancellor appoints by order and different days may be appointed for different provisions.

(3)Section 44 and Schedule 4 shall come into force on such day as the Secretary of State appoints by order and different days may be appointed for different provisions.

(4)Sections 35 (together with the repeal of section 21 of the M3Legal Aid Act 1974) and 46 shall come into force on the date on which this Act is passed.

(5)An order under subsection (2) or (3) above may contain such transitional and saving provisions as appear to the Lord Chancellor or, as the case may be, the Secretary of State necessary or expedient.

(6)This Act, with the exception of sections 12(3) and 17(3), section 44 and Schedule 4 and the amendments or repeals of the enactments referred to in section 45(3), extends to England and Wales only and section 44 and Schedule 4 extend to Scotland only.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2Power of appointment conferred by s. 47(2) partly exercised: S.I. 1988/1361, 1989/288

C3Power of appointment conferred by s. 47(3) partly exercised: S.I. 1988/1388

Marginal Citations

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