Executive non-departmental public body of the Scottish Government, managing legal aid since 1987
The Scottish Legal Aid Board has stopped funding Peter Murrell’s legal defence following new questions about his finances. Murrell, the ex-SNP chief executive and ex-husband of Nicola Sturgeon, has been jailed for five years for embezzling over £400,000. The latest figures show 99,265 legal-aid approvals in 2025/26 with 29 withdrawn, and 1,307 refused.
Claire Kellerman has launched a legal action against the Bernera Community Association over a dog admission dispute at the island cafe. The case, funded by legal aid, has drawn criticism from local politicians and sparked fundraising for the charity, which runs the community hub on Bernera.