Commentary on Sections Part 5 - Criminal Justice Section 112 - Public defence solicitors
556.This section amends section 28A of the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986 ("the 1986 Act") to place the Public Defence Solicitors Office ("the PDSO") on a permanent footing. The PDSO was established in 1998 to provide criminal defence services from solicitors employed by the Scottish Legal Aid Board (‘the Board’) on a trial basis.
557.Section 28A of the 1986 Act currently provides for regulations to be made for the purpose of carrying out a feasibility study. It also provides for the laying of a report before Parliament by 31 December 2008. The report was laid on 23 December 2008 [SG/2008/259]. This section removes these provisions as the PDSO is to be permanent.
558.Regulations have been made under section 28A of the 1986 Act(3). These regulations make provision for the employment of solicitors by the Board to provide criminal legal assistance.