Legal aid drops but Waitangi bill rises

The legal aid bill has fallen slightly, although legal aid to fight criminal cases and prepare for claims to the Waitangi Tribunal is on the rise.

The Legal Services Agency's annual report, tabled in Parliament yesterday, showed legal aid declined $3.8 million (4.4 per cent) to $82.3m in 2002-2003.

The agency said spending on legal aid peaked in 1998-99 at $86.4m after a steady climb from the early 1990s.

Waitangi legal aid reached $7.3m in 2002-2003.