Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017

Amendment of section 28 of Civil Legal Aid Act 1995

40. Section 28 of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 is amended by the insertion of the following subsections after subsection (5A):

“(5B) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, where an accused person is prevented from conducting a cross-examination referred to in section 14C of the Criminal Evidence Act 1992 , the Board shall grant a legal aid certificate to the accused for the purpose of his or her being represented in relation to such a cross-examination.

(5C) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Board shall grant a legal aid certificate to a complainant or witness for the purpose of his or her being represented in relation to an application referred to in subsection (3) of section 19A of the Criminal Evidence Act 1992 , that concerns him or her.”.