On 1st April 2013, huge changes to the legal aid system will occur as the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO) comes into effect.
At the administrative level, under LASPO, the Legal Services Commission (LSC) will be abolished and replaced by the Legal Aid Agency, which will be an Executive Agency of the Ministry of Justice.
The overall effect will be to restrict entitlement to legal aid in the several areas of the law e.g. appeals against benefits decisions, private family law, employment and education.
Details of the changes may be found here.
Anyone with concerns which may require legal assistance is advised to seek advice immediately (before the 1st April deadline)