Cathy Jamieson: "Bad legal advice is worse than none at all."

Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson wants an end to the "postcode lottery" surrounding the legal aid system.

She will announce a review which will look to improve efficiency in the delivery of legal aid in all its forms.

Spending on legal aid alone costs the Scottish public purse up to �150m a year, two-thirds of which is spent on criminal legal aid.

Take a hard look

Ms Jamieson said: "I want this review to act as a trigger to providing all the people of Scotland, no matter where they live, with stronger and better legal advice.

"Bad advice can be worse than no advice at all."

She said it was becoming increasingly clear that good advice is not available consistently in every part of the country.

"In effect there is an element of a postcode lottery in the legal advice available," she said.

"Legal aid is central to improving this situation and we should not be shy in taking a hard look at the effectiveness of legal aid."

She said the executive would be working closely over the coming months with local authorities to increase awareness of their role in providing help and information on legal advice.