Press Release

‘Patak’ Legal Cost Claims Are Wrong

6 October 2004

Claims that the taxpayer faces a legal aid bill running to several million pounds for the ‘Patak Spice’ case are wrong, the Legal Services Commission clarified today.

LSC Chief Executive Clare Dodgson confirmed that sisters Chitralekha Metha and Anila Shastri were receiving legal aid, but said recent reports of the cost of this “were greatly exaggerated”. She also added that, as with all civil cases funded by the commission, full costs could be recovered if the action was successful.

Cost estimates reported in recent media coverage of their civil dispute with their brother over the family food business have ranged from £1million to £3million.

“I can confirm that Ms Metha and Ms Shastri have not received anything close to £1million. Should their cases be successful, or if a settlement is reached, we would expect to recoup all legal aid costs”, Ms Dodgson said.

As with all cases that are still being heard, the LSC is unable to state the true amount of potential funding for legal reasons, but can do so when the dispute is resolved.

It is also worth noting that eligibility for legal aid is based on a financial means and legal merits test, and that LSC investigations are continuing in this case. If anyone is found to have obtained funding to which they were not entitled, they become liable for their own legal costs and the Legal Services Commission can seek the return of any legal costs already paid out of public funds.

Media Information:

Gary Spink, 020 7759 0493 or 07843 643052
Dan Kellingley, 020 7759 0415

Last updated: 28 December 2006