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... 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
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
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... continue reading
Nominations open for the 2024 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards!
Nominations for 2024 awards close: 22 April; winners announced: 5 July. LAPG is proud to launch the 2024 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year (LALY) awards, the only annual event solely dedicated to celebrating the work of grassroots social justice lawyers. This year marks the 22nd anniversary of these non-profit-making awards, which continue to... continue reading
Legal aid community celebrates its heroes at central London ceremony last night
Family of 14-year-old Molly Russell, who took her own life after viewing online material ‘romanticising self-harm’, their lawyers and those providing IT and media support, received LALY judges’ top accolade. Deighton Pierce Glynn named Legal Aid Firm of the Year for its ‘life-saving work’ for former MoD interpreters in Afghanistan at risk from Taliban reprisals.... continue reading
Winding down of top legal aid firm demonstrates urgent need for civil legal aid support
LAPG is extremely saddened by the news that Mackintosh Law is winding down its services. The specialist mental capacity and community care law firm has been a member of LAPG since it was established and has a national reputation for cutting edge caselaw for vulnerable and disabled people. The firm has also been at the... continue reading
LAPG Statement on the Government’s published response to the Legal Aid Means Test Review
Following a long engagement and consultation process, the Government has now published its response to the Legal Aid Means Test Review. This sets out the changes it intends to make to the process of determining who is financially eligible to receive civil and criminal legal aid services in England and Wales. The Government has put... continue reading