Opinion
The Government has announced a comprehensive package of reforms to the legal aid system.
The changes come after a damning report from Dame Margaret Bazley, which pointed to system-wide failings. Her key recommendations are to be implemented over two years. They include steps to monitor the competency of legal aid lawyers.
A Public Defence Service will be expanded to Wellington, Christchurch and Hamilton, so that defence lawyers will be salaried staff, rather than contracted.
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