Legal Aid Act 1988

Section 14.

SCHEDULE 2E+W Civil Proceedings: Scope of Part IV Representation

Part IE+W Description of Proceedings

1Proceedings in, or before any person to whom a case is referred in whole or in part by, any of the following courts, namely—

(a)the House of Lords in the exercise of its jurisdiction in relation to appeals from courts in England and Wales;

(b)the Court of Appeal;

(c)the High Court;

(d)any county court.

2The following proceedings in a magistrates’ court, namely— F1

(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b)proceedings under section 43 of the M1National Assistance Act 1948, section 22 of the M2Maintenance Orders Act 1950, section 4 of the M3Maintenance Orders Act 1958, or section 18 of the M4Supplementary Benefits Act 1976;

(c)proceedings in relation to an application for leave of the court to remove a child from a person’s custody under section 27 or 28 of the M5Adoption Act 1976 or proceedings in which the making of an order under Part II or section 29 or 55 of the Adoption Act 1976 is opposed by any party to the proceedings;

(d)proceedings under Part I of the M6Maintenance Orders (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act 1972 relating to a maintenance order made by a court of a country outside the United Kingdom;

F1(e). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(f)proceedings for or in relation to an order under Part I of the M7Domestic Proceedings and Magistrates’ Courts Act 1978.

[F2(g)proceedings under the Children Act 1989.]

3Proceedings in the Employment Appeal Tribunal.

4Proceedings in the Lands Tribunal.

5Proceedings before a Commons Commissioner appointed under section 17(1) of the M8Commons Registration Act 1965.

6Proceedings in the Restrictive Practices Court under Part III of the M9Fair Trading Act 1973, and any proceedings in that court in consequence of an order made, or undertaking given to the court, under that Part of that Act.

Part IIE+W Excepted proceedings

1Proceedings wholly or partly in respect of defamation, but so that the making of a counterclaim for defamation in proceedings for which representation may be granted shall not of itself affect any right of the defendant to the counterclaim to representation for the purposes of the proceedings and so that representation may be granted to enable him to defend the counterclaim.

2Relator actions.

3Proceedings for the recovery of a penalty where the proceedings may be taken by any person and the whole or part of the penalty is payable to the person taking the proceedings.

4Election petitions under the Representation of the M10People Act 1983.

5In a county court, proceedings for or consequent on the issue of a judgment summons and, in the case of a defendant, proceedings where the only question to be brought before the court is as to the time and mode of payment by him of a debt (including liquidated damages) and costs.

[F35AProceedings for a decree of divorce or judicial separation unless the cause is defended, or the petition is directed to be heard in open court, or it is not practicable by reason of physical or mental incapacity for the applicant to proceed without representation; except that representation shall be available for the purpose of making or opposing an application—

(a)for an injunction;

(b)for ancillary relief, excluding representation for the purpose only of inserting a prayer for ancillary relief in the petition;

(c)for an order relating to the custody of (or access to) a child, or the education or care or supervision of a child, excluding representation for the purpose only of making such an application where there is no reason to believe that the application will be opposed;

(d)for an order declaring that the court is satisfied as to arrangements for the welfare of the children of the family, excluding representation for the purpose only of making such an application where there is no reason to believe that the application will be opposed; or

(e)for the purpose of making or opposing any other application, or satisfying the court on any other matter which raises a substantial question for determination by the court.]

6Proceedings incidental to any proceedings excepted by this Part of this Schedule.