(This note is not part of the Order)
This Order brings into force various sections in Part 2 of the Scottish Civil Justice Council and Criminal Legal Assistance Act 2013 (“the 2013 Act”) on 11th October 2013.
Part 2 of the 2013 Act relates to criminal legal assistance and amends the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986 (“the 1986 Act”) to alter the test for eligibility for assistance by way of representation in criminal matters and introduce contributions for criminal legal aid. The amendments made to the 1986 Act will only have full effect once regulations made under the 1986 Act (as amended by the 2013 Act) come into force.
The Bill for the 2013 Act received Royal Assent on 5th March 2013. Part 3 (sections 24 to 26) of the 2013 Act came into force on the following day.