BBC Legal Affairs Correspondent Joshua Rozenberg reports

Other reforms are likely to include streamlining court procedures and a new Community Legal Service.

The changes are being billed as the biggest shake-up to the legal aid system in England and Wales since it was set up 50 years ago.

The proposals are in the Lord Chancellor's Access to Justice White Paper.

'Fat cat' lawyers could come under attack with attempts made to stop them creaming off huge payments from the legal aid system.

Funds will be diverted into ensuring everyone has access to stand up for their legal rights.

Currently, some £1.6bn is the annual budget for legal aid, but the replacement scheme will look at allocating funds on more of a regional basis.

No-win, no-fee

Each case will be judged on its likely costs and whether it may be possible to go to court on a conditional 'no-win, no-fee' basis.

Also more emphasis will be placed on attempts to settle matters through mediation.

In future, lawyers on working for the new legal aid system will be on fixed contracts and not submitting bills at the end of a case.

The intention is to stamp out any attempts to spin out cases in order to generate higher fees.

Website help

A Website containing the legal information is highly likely to be included in the scheme.

In addition, there will be an attempt to simplify court procedures to eliminate delays and help cost in advance any course of litigation.