Download or read book Draft Criminal Defence Service Bill,Consultation Paper and Explanatory Notes written by Great Britain. Department for Constitutional Affairs and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2004 with total page 74 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This consultation paper sets out the Government's proposals for a draft Bill to implement changes to the Criminal Defence Service (CDS) grant of the right to public funded representation in criminal court cases. The main provisions of the draft Bill relate to two measures: the transfer of responsibility for grant of criminal legal aid from the courts to the Legal Services Commission; and the re-introduction of a means test for criminal cases. The aim of the Bill is to ensure that the taxpayer gets best value for money from the CDS and to improve management control and consistency in the legal aid system and the way in which the fund is spent. The re-introduction of the means test seeks to focus resources on those that need help most. Responses should be received by 6 August 2004.