It has been reported in The Herald that an award of expenses has been made directly against the Scottish Legal Aid Board in a matrimonial case.

The paper reports “Solicitors acting for William Bohannon repeatedly raised problems in the action against him with the board and asked, without success, that legal aid granted to Carol Young be suspended. Mr Bohannon, 62, successfully defended two actions but was left with lawyers’ bills of more than £33,500 and possible bankruptcy.”

Lord Brodie, in the Court of Session, decided to grant expenses against the Board after concluding that that Mr Bohannon would suffer financial hardship if an order was not made. He is also reported as noting “The board has not chosen to defend its conduct in the matter.”

Ah, SLAB … “provid[ing] access to justice for those eligible and in need of it, in a cost-effective manner.”

Posted on Absolvitor: Scots law online.