Breaking News

4th February 2008
Access to Justice Alliance and Legal Action Group have designed a survey to discover how easy it is for members of the public to get legal advice. The survey is aimed at clients (or lawyers or advisers on their behalf) and can be found on the Legal Action Group website.

13th July 2007
As part of their continuing campaign against legal aid changes, Law Centres are holding open days across the country to discuss with politicians and members of the public how the proposed reforms of legal aid will impact on local communities. Read the Law Centres Federation press release

12th July 2007
There is a debate in Westminster Hall on 12th July on the report of the Constitutional Affairs Committee on the implementation of the Carter Review of Legal Aid.
The exact time is not yet known but please contact your MP and explain the importance of the issue.

14th -18th May 2007
Justice – Access Denied Week of action – Plans are underway for activities to take place in regions around the country, with a focus on county courts, to highlight the need for legal aid funding to enable people to enforce or defend their rights.

4th May 2007
Legal aid rights for Londoners must be protected - statement by the Mayor of London

1st May 2007
Constitutional Affairs Select Committee Report published. Read the report and press release

ACCESS TO JUSTICE ALLIANCE

Survey on availability of advice

Access to Justice Alliance and Legal Action Group have designed a survey to discover how easy it is for members of the public to get legal advice. The survey is aimed at clients (or lawyers or advisers on their behalf) and can be found on the Legal Action Group website.

The survey will not take long and your opinions will enable us to influence government policy on providing funding for advice services more effectively.

Constitutional Affairs Select Committee Update

Following the Constitutional Affairs Select Committee Report on the 1st May 2007, the government has produced a response to the recommendations in the Committee's report.

In his statement 'Government Ignores Warnings' , Andrew Holroyd, Law Society vice president urges the government to take more time to 'devise a realistic plan to avoid irretrievably decimating access to justice'.

Justice - Access Denied: a week of action

Demonstration by Southwark Law Centre at Lambeth County Court

The Access to Justice Alliance co-ordinated a series of demonstrations during a Week of Action from the 14th – 18th May 2007, to increase awareness about the proposed changes to Legal Aid. Read the full briefing

Media Coverage

30th May 2007 - Protest by Kingston & Richmond Law Centre
24th May 2007 - Protest by Bury Law Centre
22nd May 2007 - Protest by Sheffield Law Centre
18th May 2007 - Demonstration outside the London County Court
15th May 2007 - Kingston County Court demonstration

Highlights of the week included:

Monday 21 May - Sheffield - Demonstration
Sheffield Law Centre and other advice agencies in Sheffield demonstrated on Monday 21 May 2007 outside the Combined Court Centre at West Bar from 9.30am.
See above for media coverage.

Wednesday 16 May - Manchester - March and Demonstration
Law Centres in the North West organised a march and demonstration to end at the Manchester Immigration Tribunal.
Read their press release 'Don't ask me about free advice'.

Demonstration outside Woolwich County Courts

Demonstration outside Woolwich County Courts

Tuesday 15 May - Woolwich County Court - Demonstration Greenwich Housing Rights and local housing lawyers demonstrated at Woolwich County Court. Greenwich Housing Rights' press release explains their fears that legal aid changes will increase repossessions.

Tuesday 15 May - Central London Court - Demonstration The Central London Law Centre is co-ordinating activity outside Central London County Courts.
Organised by: Wilma Morrison on 020 7839 2998 or e-mail wilma@londonlawcentre.org.uk

Demonstration outside The Gee Street Courthouse

Demonstration outside The Gee Street Courthouse

Tuesday 15 May - Clerkenwell and Shoreditch County Court - Demonstration
Clerkenwell & Shoreditch County Court Housing Possession Duty Scheme lobbied outside the Clerkenwell and Shoreditch County Court at 10 am on Tuesday 15th May.
Read their press release Legal Aid Needs You Because One Day You May Need It!

Monday 14th May 2007. Parliamentary Reception - Committee Room 14, House of Commons.
Alan Beith, Chair of the Constitutional Affairs Select Committee will speak at the meeting as will Karen Buck, MP.
Read the press release for full details

If you organised events and received press or media coverage please let us know.