Legal Aid Board claims 'challenging' 2012 which saw fall in demand

The Legal Aid Board has said 2012 was a significantly challenging year in its annual report.

The Board, which provides civil legal aid and advice to those who cannot afford a solicitor, said demand for its services fell by 10% in 2012.

Part of this was due to a fall in demand for the Refugee Legal Service, consistent with a fall in the number of asylum applications.

Demand for its overall services had increased by 9% in 2011 and 21% the previous year.

Its annual report for 2012 released today shows that demand was extremely high, at a time when resources were constrained.