DEMAND FOR legal aid rose by 18 per cent in 2008 due to the economic downtown, according to the annual report of the Legal Aid Board, presented to Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern yesterday.
It pointed out that as the provision of services by the board is means-tested, increased unemployment and lower incomes have seen a greater number of people becoming financially eligible for legal aid and advice.
In addition, an economic downturn gives rise to an increased need for legal advice and assistance in areas such as debt, employment and family law, according to the report.
The board provides civil legal aid and advice to those on lower incomes through a nationwide network of law centres. It also offers legal services for those seeking asylum through its Refugee Legal Service.
Individuals received legal assistance from the Legal Aid Board in more than 21,000 cases in 2008, with family law accounting for the majority of cases taken.
There were 15,000 new applications for legal services in 2008, an increase of almost 18 per cent on 2007.
The chairwoman of the board, Anne Colley, said that the increased demand, coupled with the difficult environment for the public finances, presented a challenge to the board to maintain its level of service provision.
"With an increasing number of applications for legal services, waiting times for initial appointments with solicitors are coming under further pressure," she said.
She also pointed out that many of the cases dealt with by the board require a near immediate service and, as such, a significant proportion of the board's clientele is not placed on a waiting list.
The board's chief executive, Moling Ryan, said it had taken steps to maximise its effectiveness. "We have critically reviewed all areas of our operations over the past two years - the law centre network, the Refugee Legal Service and our head office operations. The implementation of the recommendations arising out of these reviews is intended to help the board maximise the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of its operations."
He said that exchequer funding increased to €26.988 million on the law centre side in 2008, an increase of more than 11 per cent on the previous year. Funding for the Refugee Legal Service increased 3 per cent to €8.897 million. This service saw an increase of 21 per cent in new clients registering, to 3,219, he said.
The number of cases processed in the law centre network in 2008 was 14,917, up more than 7 per cent on the previous year. A further 2,983 legal aid cases were processed using the board's private practitioner service, up 29 per cent on 2007, he said.
The board engaged external consultants to carry out a risk assessment of its legal service delivery, which will lead to standardisation of processes.
It also drew up a new corporate plan. "This sets out the board's objectives for the 2009-2011 period, together with the actions intended to achieve them, in what will be a very challenging period in terms of both demand and funding," he said.