To ask the Minister of Justice how his Department is improving access to Justice, as outlined in the Programme for Government 2011-15 commitment number 52.

In 2010 I commissioned a review of Access to Justice. I am currently taking forward a programme of work in response to the recommendations in the Review.

A key recommendation was to change the delivery mechanism for legal aid to an Agency of the Department of Justice. The legislation required to deliver this has been passed and the Agency was created on 1 April. This will deliver a range of important governance improvements and efficiency savings. This includes opportunities for economies of scale through shared services, staff development and access to skills and facilities within the wider NICS.

Other reforms are being delivered across the legal aid system in order to protect access to justice while ensuring that legal aid continues to be affordable. Reform has concentrated on ensuring that fees paid for publicly funded work represent value for money, and that legally aided clients receive representation appropriate to the complexity of the issues involved. This helps to ensure that the available resources are targeted to support those most in need and to protect the most vulnerable in society.

I have commissioned a further review of Access to Justice to build on the work already done and to help to inform the agenda for the future. This will report in the Summer.