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’... 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’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
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
LAPG submits its response to the MOJ RoCLA Call for Evidence
On 21 February 2024 we submitted our response to the Ministry of Justice’s Review of Civil Legal Aid Call for Evidence. Our response provides a detailed explanation of the myriad issues undermining the ability of legal aid practitioners to meet the needs of clients. In particular, we focused on the following key, overarching issues: There... 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
LAPG Statement on the Government’s Announcement of a Review of Civil Legal Aid
The government announcement yesterday that it will carry out a formal review of the civil legal aid system, to include independent research and analysis, is a welcome admission that so much more needs to be done to ensure that access to justice is a reality for all citizens and not simply empty rhetoric. However, we... continue reading