Minister concerned over rising costs of legal aid

The Treasury Minister says he's concerned about the spiralling costs of legal actions in the Island.

In the Keys yesterday, Eddie Teare was asked to disclose the cost of the Douglas East by-election fraud trial.

He revealed that so far the cost is £874,000 - but that is expected to rise significantly as appeals against conviction have been launched and other costs are yet to be clarified.

But Mr Teare believes that whilst we have to preserve recourse to the courts for those caught in the criminal justice system, the representation has to be proportionate and the rapidly rising cost of legal aid is unsustainable.