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Peter Murrell’s legal aid was withdrawn after the Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) had been in contact with his lawyers about his financial circumstances, according to a report published on 30 September 2026. That points to a possible change in finances, but SLAB has not disclosed the individual reason for its decision, so the precise trigger is not publicly established.

What is confirmed about the withdrawal?

SLAB confirmed that Murrell was no longer receiving legal aid. LBC reported that the termination took effect on 28 July 2026 and that the board had contacted his lawyers about his personal financial circumstances. The date and account of that contact are reported by LBC, rather than set out in a published individual decision record. LBC’s 30 September 2026 report quoted a SLAB spokesperson as saying: “We can confirm the individual is no longer in receipt of legal aid.”

The spokesperson also said: “Legal aid and data protection legislation strictly limits what SLAB can disclose about individual applications.” As a result, the public record does not identify the exact financial change, the evidence considered, or the specific rule applied in Murrell’s case.

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Why might a change in finances matter?

In Scotland, solemn criminal legal aid involves an assessment of the applicant’s finances and whether they can meet the costs of the case without undue hardship. SLAB explains this test in its guidance on undue hardship in solemn criminal applications.

SLAB’s guidance on changes in financial circumstances says clients must report material changes. It states: “If the material changes mean the client is no longer eligible to continue to receive solemn legal aid, we will terminate the grant from the date of the change.” The guidance also identifies an increase of more than £750 in annual income and/or capital as a reporting condition. That is a general rule, not evidence that Murrell’s income or capital rose by that amount.

Given the reported contact with his lawyers about finances and SLAB’s published rules, a change in circumstances is a plausible explanation for the withdrawal. The available information does not establish what changed or whether that was the ground SLAB applied.

Does withdrawal mean SLAB alleged wrongdoing?

No such conclusion can be drawn from the information made public. SLAB’s general rules also describe possible termination grounds involving untrue statements, failure to disclose material facts, or wilful non-compliance. Those provisions are not evidence that SLAB found any of those things in Murrell’s case. The board has not publicly identified the individual ground for its decision.

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Was the withdrawal caused by Murrell’s conviction?

The available report links the process to contact about financial circumstances, while SLAB has withheld the individual reason. It therefore does not establish that conviction itself caused the withdrawal.

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