<P> The provision of legal aid is governed by the Access to Justice Act 1999 and supplementary legislation, most recently the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 . </P> <P> In civil cases including employment, administrative, constitutional and social cases, assistance under the Legal Advice Scheme Act (advice and, where necessary, representation) is given . In criminal cases, the defendant has a right to counsel, and in certain cases when the penalty is at least one year of confinement, the defendant can be given counsel even against his or her wishes . </P> <P> Known as Patrocinio a spese dello Stato, legal aid is provided by the Italian Law DPR n . 115 / 2002 - Articles. 74 - 141 . It is intended to implement Article 24 of the Italian Constitution and ensure access to the right of defense (in civil, administrative and criminal cases) to persons not able to independently obtain the services of a lawyer due to the inability to pay for them from their income (less than € 10.776, 33 per capita). </P> <P> The Constitution of the Italian Republic, Clause 24 states: </P>

What kind of cases does legal aid handle