Formalisation of applications for criminal legal aid and some random means-testing are likely to follow the taking over of the administration of criminal legal aid by the Legal Aid Board, according to its chief executive.

Millionaire criminal suspects should not be entitled to legal aid to stop tens of millions of pounds being wasted, the former Director of Public Prosecutions said.

Analysis by King's College London focusing on three areas of civil law says knock-on costs could be £139m a year.

Kenneth Clarke unexpectedly announced a six-month delay to plans to slice £350m out of the annual legal aid budget. 

Ministry of Justice plans to replace law centres and advisers with telephone 'gateway' will decimate social welfare law, critics say.

The government's controversial changes to sentencing policy and legal aid have cleared the Commons, despite opposition from MPs of all parties.

Pity the justice secretary. Ken Clarke came to office in 2010 with some fine ideas about sending fewer people to prison and rehabilitating offenders.

There is an assumption in the memorandum of understanding between Ireland and the EU-ECB-IMF that the implementation of the recommendations of the Competition Authority and the Legal Costs Working Group will reduce legal costs. 

Lawyers who represent defendants in criminal cases are preparing to sue the Government over the latest reduction in fees.

The 40-year-old movement to provide legal services to the vulnerable looks likely to bear the brunt of legal aid cuts.