LAWFUEL – The Legal Newswire – Scotland’s legal aid bill cost the public purse more than £150m last year, figures have revealed, the BBC reports.
The total bill was 2% up on the previous year and brought spending to the second highest ever level.
Criminal cases accounted for nearly two thirds of the total. The cost of civil legal aid increased for the first time in three years.
Donald Findlay QC topped the list for legal aid payments made to advocates, receiving £358,400 including VAT.
Glasgow-based law firm Ross Harper topped the solicitors’ legal aid earnings list at £1.732m including VAT.
Top-earning solicitor advocate was Iain Paterson, of Paterson Bell Solicitors, who received £219,300 including VAT.
