Concept to be examined in detail before decision
The idea of a Public Defender Unit replacing legal aid needs to be debated.
That's the view of Treasury Minister Alf Cannan.
It's one of the recommendations of the SAVE initiative and would see advocates employed by government.
There has been criticism from the Law Society, which says the idea of prosecution and defence together is a conflict of interest - and former Onchan MHK Peter Karran has branded it as state-controlled judiciary.
But Mr Cannan says other countries have adopted a public defender unit:
Police looking for witnesses to RTC
Three weather warnings in place
Nasal vaccine available for young children
Severe gales expected today
