Cathy Jamieson believes the legal aid system needs to change

Cathy Jamieson said public opinion pointed to a system which was not delivering the desired results.

A six-month review of legal aid began in October to assess the delivery of legal advice and information.

During a parliamentary debate, the executive was urged to distance itself from Whitehall plans to restrict legal aid for asylum seekers.

To restrict the access of asylum seekers to appropriate legal aid would amount to a denial of human rights Nicola Sturgeon SNP justice spokeswoman

Scottish National Party justice spokeswoman Nicola Sturgeon said the asylum issue was complex and needed to be considered in Scotland.

She said: "I very much hope the Scottish Executive will take the opportunity to loudly, clearly and definitely distance itself from David Blunkett's plans to restrict legal aid access to asylum seekers.

"I know and I'm sure ministers know also, that asylum cases are some of the most complex cases that are dealt with in Scotland.

"And I think to restrict the access of asylum seekers to appropriate legal aid would amount to a denial of human rights."

'Little faith'

Ms Jamieson said the asylum issue would be considered during the review.

She said: "There are clearly differences in terms of the way legal aid is delivered here to south of the border and I would want to see that in the context of our Scottish review."

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.

Ms Jamieson said many people were worried about the cost of seeking legal advice and it was important to rectify this.

Legal aid is an important public service for many people who do not have the financial resources to assert their legal rights Jean Couper Scottish Legal Aid Board

"We can't allow our society to be one where many people have little faith in the legal system," she said.

"Publicly-funded legal advice aimed at those who can't afford to pay is an essential part of any modern justice system in any democratic society."

The Scottish Legal Aid Board said the review was a "great opportunity" to reform the system.

Chairman Jean Couper said: "Holding a high profile debate today highlights to the public the importance of extending access to justice and provides a valuable opportunity for discussing how best this can be achieved.

"Legal aid is an important public service for many people who do not have the financial resources to assert their legal rights.