The fees hike is part of a wider package of support including also funding for up to 40 legal aid traineeship places and digital support to help firms purchase devices to assist trainees in their work and court appearances. 

Victims minister Siobhian Brown said the latest planned uplift continues a sustained pattern of investment in legal aid—demonstrating the ongoing commitment to ensuring access to justice remains properly resourced.

Ms Brown said: “Access to justice is a fundamental right and we want to ensure people get the help they need and that there are solicitors available to provide it. These reforms mark the biggest change to Scotland’s legal aid system in a generation. This 13 per cent uplift, combined with our doubling of traineeship places and expanded digital support, demonstrates our commitment to a legal aid system that works for everyone.

“This builds on other important legal aid reforms we have already made and are already making a real difference, including clearer income eligibility rules, non means tested legal aid for families in Fatal Accident Inquiries where there has been a death in custody, and the removal of eligibility checks for children in the hearings system. By cutting complexity, widening access, and ensuring fair pay, we are creating a legal aid system that delivers justice for all.

“As part of this wider support package, we anticipate the support of solicitors to continue with the constructive engagement on the development of planning and roll out of improvements that would enhance the early stages of justice system reform.”

Law Society of Scotland president, Patricia Thom, said: “We have fought long and hard for this support for legal aid. This is a significant fee increase and a lifeline for access to justice in Scotland that will help stabilise the legal aid system while work on long-term reform continues.

“It has been widely acknowledged that inadequate fees are driving solicitors to stop taking on legal aid work. While it would be better if fees went up tomorrow, this announcement gives solicitors a reason to remain in the legal aid system.

“This increase for civil, criminal and children’s legal aid services gives much needed breathing space as we continue working with the Scottish government to develop a regular fee review mechanism that will put access to justice on a sustainable footing.

“Just as important as retaining solicitors who are already carrying out legal aid work is the need to bring fresh talent into the sector. Scottish government support for new traineeships has previously proven very effective, and we believe this new scheme will be similarly successful.”