Written Question·Ministry of Justice·UIN 34403

Sentencing: Legal Costs

Tabled: 27 February 2025

Answered: 7 March 2025

Named Day

Question

Kirith Entwistle

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent assessment she has made of the number of defendants pleading guilty because of unaffordable legal costs.

Answer

Sarah Sackman

Defendants facing trial at the magistrates’ court or Crown Court may apply for legal aid to pay for their defence costs; this covers the cost of preparing the case and providing legal representation. The evidence provision fee, which was introduced in 201...

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