Joining the Dots: Domestic abuse, civil and criminal justice and technology
Joining the Dots: Domestic abuse, civil and criminal justice and technology Crest Advisory and CGI have undertaken a partnership research project to identify ways to address the twenty-first century challenges of tackling domestic abuse across the justice system and beyond. Domestic abuse is a prevalent, high-impact crime with widespread and lasting consequences. Today in England and Wales... continue reading
We’ve launched our 2017 Annual Review
On 26th April 2018 LAPG held a reception to launch its second Annual Review. Baroness Helena Kennedy QC spoke about the importance of legal aid work and the rule of law. She remembered once being asked if she was the barrister who represented ‘women and other criminals’. Co–chairs Jenny Beck and Nicola Mackintosh QC(Hon) referred... continue reading
Research casts doubt on efficacy of telephone advice for social welfare law clients
Dr Marie Burton, within her PhD thesis: Calling for Justice: Comparing telephone and face-to-face advice in social welfare Law (LSE, 2016), has found that: There are significant consequences of replacing face-to-face advice with telephone advice in social welfare law. These consequences can seriously disadvantage many social welfare clients, particularly those who are more vulnerable and... continue reading
APPG on Legal Aid engages MPs and their caseworkers on how to help their constituents
The APPG on Legal Aid collaborated with organisations from across the advice sector to engage with MPs and their caseworkers at an event in Portcullis House on 1 November 2018. The event was organised to introduce MPs and their caseworkers to organisations that provide training, resources and referral sources to help MPs and caseworkers provide... continue reading
LAPG launches manifesto for legal aid.
Legal Aid Practitioners Group sets out detailed plan for undoing damage caused by LASPO cuts. The Legal Aid Practitioners Group has drawn on the expertise and experience of its members to produce a ‘pragmatic and clear’ manifesto for restoring access to justice, lost following the 2012 Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act. Writing... continue reading
Bach Commission “The Right to Justice” Report out today
Over the last two years, LAPG co-chair Nicola Mackintosh QC (Hon), committee members Julie Bishop and Laura Janes and director Carol Storer have been sitting on the Bach Commission. We heard from more than 100 individuals and organisations. The commission has found that cuts to legal aid have created a two-tier justice system where the... continue reading
APPG on Legal Aid – Karen Buck MP elected Chair
Karen Buck MP, the first ever Chair of the APPG on Legal Aid, was re-elected Chair at this morning’s meeting in Westminster. Elected as Vice-Chairs were Dominic Grieve MP, Sir Henry Bellingham, Andy Slaughter MP, Yvonne Fovargue MP and Alex Chalk MP. As co-sponsors of the APPG Legal Aid Practitioners Group and Young Legal Aid... continue reading
LAPG writes to the new Lord Chancellor
LAPG Co-Chairs, Jenny Beck and Nicola Mackintosh, QC (Hon) and LAPG Director, Carol Storer OBE, have written to the Right Hon David Lidington following his appointment as Lord Chancellor. 13 June 2017 Dear The Right Hon David Lidington MP, We congratulate you on being appointed Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice. We would welcome the... continue reading