New Directions on the Grant of Legal Aid for Defamation or Verbal Injury

July 21, 2009 | No Comments

In the wake of the McLibel case (Steele and Morris v United Kingdom), the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007 gave power to SLAB to grant civil legal aid for actions of defamation or verbal injury.  The Scottish Ministers also issued directions to SLAB regarding the exercise of that power.  Those directions issued in 2007 were thought to be unclear by SLAB; in addition, it is understood that legal aid has been granted to an individual to challenge the Board’s refusal to grant legal aid for defamation proceedings based on the 2007 guidelines.  The new directions, issued on 4th July 2009, can be found here.

Frances McCartney

Art. 06 Right to a Fair Trial, Art. 08 Right to Private and Family Life, Legal Aid

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Formed in May 2009, the Scottish Human Rights Law Group is a non-affiliated, independent, professional network for those engaged in legal practice and study, in academia and politics, in campaigning and in the provision of advice. It exists to raise awareness and knowledge of human rights law in Scotland, and to provide a forum for discussion of matters of interest across the field. The group organises seminars and roundtable discussions on human rights and is accredited for the purposes of CPD.