Legal aid crisis?

BBC Radio 4's Law in Action was broadcast on Friday, 25 November, 2005 at 1600 GMT.

We take an in depth look at the crisis facing legal aid.

In this special report, Clive Coleman talks to legal experts who think that our system is on the point of collapse. They say that increasing numbers of the poorest people in our society are being denied access to justice.

And government minister, Bridget Prentice MP, admits that, in parts of the country, there are legal aid deserts.

What now for legal aid?

Contributors:
Bridget Prentice MP - Minister for Legal Aid
Richard Collins - Director of Policy & Planning, Legal Services Commission
Kevin Martin - President of the Law Society
Lord Philips of Sudbury - Former legal aid practitioner
Lucy Scott-Montcrieff - Mental health solicitor
Richard Moorhead - Professor of law and expert on legal aid funding
Robert Brown - Criminal law practitioner
Tim Melville-Walker - Legal aid solicitor
James Sandbach - Social Policy Officer for Citizens Advice