Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations, in relation to any case where an application for advice and assistance is made on or after 10th April 2006–

(a)increase the disposable income limit for eligibility for advice and assistance under the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986 from £203 a week to £208 a week (regulation 3);

(b)increase the disposable capital limit for advice and assistance from £1,412 to £1,450 (regulation 4);

(c)increase the weekly disposable income above which a person is required to pay a contribution from £86 to £88 (regulation 5); and

(d)prescribe the scale of contributions to be paid where the weekly disposable income exceeds £88 but does not exceed £208 (regulation 6).

The Regulations also revoke the Advice and Assistance (Financial Conditions) (Scotland) Regulations 2005 except in relation to any case where an application for advice and assistance is made before 10th April 2006 (regulation 7).