Guernsey Press

Legal Aid funding not given for fixed penalty offences

I JUST wanted to briefly reply to the Open Lines letter of 27th April (No surprise legal aid costs are so high). For clarification, Legal Aid funding is not provided for fixed penalty offences under The Offences (Fixed Penalty) (Guernsey) Law, 2009. It is the Advocate’s responsibility to assess a client for two hours Green Form advice and assistance and the Advocates who undertake legal aid work are fully aware of what offences are included and excluded from the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme. In this instance, had the Advocate submitted this Green Form to the Guernsey Legal Aid Service for processing and payment, we would have rejected/refused to pay it. Consequently, I can confirm that no legal aid funding was provided for this matter.

Published

LUCY HAYWOOD

Legal Aid Administrator