Cathy Jamieson, the former Justice Minister, current Firm columnist and prospective Labour leader in Scotland has called on the SNP administration to expand legal aid and to reduce civil court fees to widen access to justice.

Her comments came as she called on her successor Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill to follow the lead of the Labour Government at Westminster, where Housing Minister Caroline Flint announced a £10m package of measures to support people facing mortgage repossessions. 

"Kenny MacAskill was asked to take a decision earlier this year to follow the UK lead but he chose to ignore the needs of ordinary home owners. I am now calling on him to look again at his decision," she said. 

"Also the decision to raise civil court fees should be immediately reversed. With the on-going global financial situation it's vital that access to justice is as wide as possible. I want to ensure that the number of repossessions in Scotland is as small as possible but the system is not helping people trying to hang onto their homes.

"I am today calling for an expansion of civil legal aid during this financial crisis and an increase in grant funding for voluntary sector advice agencies such as Citizen's Advice Scotland.

"I also think that Credit Unions should be encouraged to offer mortgages for suitable clients with an expansion of low cost secured lending and budgeting services for debtors facing homelessness.

"We need to do more to help people ride through the global financial crisis and Scotland can do its bit now without waiting for anyone else."