What is legal aid, who is entitled to it and which convicted murderers have received it? From Stephen Port to Thomas Mair
LEGAL aid provides advice and representation for people in the courts and is seen as crucial to a fair system of justice in Britain.
But it has proved controversial when brutal murderers get taxpayers' cash while IRA bombing victims receive no help. Here's everything you need to know.
What is legal aid?
Legal aid provides representation to people in the court system, who would otherwise be unable to afford lawyers' fees.
It is seen as crucial to a fair justice system that requires all people to be equal before the law.
Those eligible will either get money towards legal costs or an advocate to speak on their behalf.
Advice is available for civil and criminal cases, but there are strict guidelines around who can access funds.
In 2013 new rules reduced the types of cases entitled to legal aid in a bid to cut the bill for the service.
Who is entitled to legal aid?
To receive legal aid a person must show the case is eligible for it, the problem is serious and that they could not otherwise afford representation.
Reasons someone would receive legal aid include being at risk of harm or homelessness, being accused of a crime, being the victim of discrimination, for family mediation or to bring a case under the Human Rights Act.
Legal aid is dependant on a person's financial position and to receive it you must show you could not otherwise afford representation.
Why is legal aid controversial?
Decisions about who is granted legal aid - and who is denied funding - are often controversial.
The Sun is fighting a campaign to get justice for the families of the soldiers killed in the 1982 IRA Hyde Park bombing.
Prime suspect John Downey, whose criminal trial collapsed after official blunders, has received £50,000 of taxpayer funds.
But victims' families hoping to launch a civil action have been snubbed by legal aid chiefs.
Others given funding by the Legal Aid Agency include Lee Rigby’s murderers Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale, whose lawyers trousered £213,000.
And The Sun revealed six murderers who killed 14 people between them received £380,000 in 2016.
Beneficiaries included MP Jo Cox's murderer Thomas Nair, who got £75,000, and Grindr serial killer Stephen Port who received £136,000.
DUP MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said: “We have multiple murderers who have received legal aid from the state.
“This clearly suggests the current system is in urgent need of review and reform."
Taxpayers footed the £162,000 defence bill at the trial of hate preacher Anjem Choudary and one his disciples.
A decision to grant the Rochdale sex gang legal aid to fight deportation has also prompted anger.
The sick gang received £1million in legal aid during the sex abuse case and now they will get more money as their lawyers use Human Rights laws to argue they should not be sent back to Pakistan.
It has been revealed that one of Stephen Lawrence's killers has been granted legal aid to help his bid to sue the government while Charlie Gard's parents received nothing to help them fight for their sick tot.
The legal fees of racist thug David Norris could cost the British taxpayer £70,000 as he launches a court battle against prison chiefs after he was attacked by other lags.
Labour MP Seema Malhotra, was among those to slam the system after it was revealed Charlie Gard's parents would not recieve a penny.
She said: “It’s clear it needs overhauling. The heartbreaking case of Charlie Gard highlights why it’s wrong for parents facing this situation to not have access to legal support or for there to be so much uncertainty.”
Lib Dem Home Affairs spokesman Ed Davey added: “This shows the legal aid system is broken and urgently needs to be fixed.”
