LAPG research on the ‘hidden costs’ of delivering legal aid
Senior staff working through the weekend. Employees working well beyond their contracted hours. Weeks spent preparing for audits. LAPG research suggests practitioners are spending around a quarter of their time on unpaid work propping up the legal aid system. Legal Aid Practitioners Group (LAPG) has today published the findings of a study on ‘non-chargeable work’…
LAPG announces winners of the 2025 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards
The Belfast law firm acting for Kneecap; an immigration KC described as a ‘once in a generation barrister’; and a legal exec making her mark representing category-A prisoners were honoured at last week’s LALY awards. Belfast-based Phoenix Law were named as winners of the 2025 LALY award for Legal Aid Firm/Not-for-profit Agency at a sold-out…
LAPG supports the PAMELA initiative
What is PAMELA?PAMELA is a new support network focused on the implications of the (peri)menopause for legal aid lawyers and the advice sector. The network will provide opportunities for sharing resources and ideas including policies, practices and information, as well as a regular space for women to connect. The network will create both physical and…
Legal Aid’s 75th Anniversary: A diamond in the rough
Something incredible happened 75 years ago today. The Legal Aid and Advice Act 1949 received royal assent, paving the way for the establishment of the legal aid scheme. The scheme was described by the AG at the time as a ‘charter of the little man to the British courts of justice […] without regard to…
Latest News from LAPG
LAPG’s response to proposed reforms of the justice system
LAPG welcomes today’s announcement by the Deputy Prime Minister of an increase in investment across the court system in an effort to reduce case backlogs and improve the system’s digital and physical infrastructure. For too long, governments have failed to recognise the vital role that the criminal and civil justice systems play in underpinning the... continue reading
Nominations for the 2026 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards are now open!
Winners in 10 award categories will be announced 3 July; deadline for entries 21 April. Legal Aid Practitioners Group is proud to announce the launch of the 24th annual Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards, the only event dedicated solely to celebrating the social justice legal community. As well as awards covering all areas... continue reading
Response to Ministry of Justice (MOJ) announcement on Increases to Housing and Immigration Civil Legal Aid Fees
Housing Law Practitioners’ Association (HLPA), Legal Aid Practitioners Group (LAPG), Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (ILPA) and Law Centres Network (LCN) respond to Ministry of Justice (MOJ) announcement on Increases to Housing and Immigration Civil Legal Aid Fees 2 July 2025 HLPA, LAPG, ILPA and LCN welcome today’s confirmation from the MOJ that fees for housing... continue reading
LAPG announces finalists in 2025 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards!
A chartered legal exec praised for her work representing Category A prisoners; a personal assistant to a busy human rights department ‘who always shows patience in the face of short-tempered-ness’; and the solicitor who secured a ‘blistering’ inquest ruling following the death of a two-year old, which was the first fatality linked to the Home... continue reading
LAPG’s response to the civil legal aid fees consultation
We have published our response to the MOJ’s civil legal aid fees consultation: Civil legal aid: Towards a sustainable future The MOJ consultation is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/civil-legal-aid-towards-a-sustainable-future/civil-legal-aid-towards-a-sustainable-future We welcome the proposals to increase Immigration & Asylum and Housing & Debt fees and would like to see these changes implemented as soon as possible. As the... continue reading
Nominations for 2025 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards are open!
Nominations close on 22 April 2025 Winners in 10 award categories (see below) will be announced at central London ceremony on 4 July. Legal Aid Practitioners Group is proud to launch the 23rd LALY awards in celebration of the life-changing work of social justice lawyers. LAPG CEO Chris Minnoch says: ‘For more than two decades... continue reading
LAPG responds to MOJ announcement about consultation on increasing some civil legal aid fees
Today’s announcement by the Lord Chancellor of a consultation on increasing fees for two critical areas of civil legal aid represents a significant step forward. It represents a continuation of the positive shift in approach by this government after decades of regressive policymaking in relation to legal aid. It is also encouraging that the government... continue reading
LAPG announces winners of the 2024 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards
Solicitor behind legal challenges that halted flights to Rwanda named as winner of Outstanding Achievement award. Former MP Karen Buck honoured for commitment to legal aid and housing justice with a Special Award from LAPG Board. Toufique Hossain, Director of Public Law at Duncan Lewis Solicitors, has been named as winner of the top accolade... continue reading
LAPG announces shortlist for the 2024 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards
A billing team who saved the day after their Bolton-based firm’s IT supplier was subject to a cyberattack; a solicitor described as ‘an extraordinary force for good’ for her work with Albanian children seeking asylum in the UK; and the managing director of a legal aid firm in rural West Wales have all been selected... continue reading