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LAPG hosts first-ever ‘virtual’ Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards to honour social justice champions
LAPG’s ground-breaking ‘lockdown LALYs’ were broadcast on social media, with the award winners joining the live event, via video link. The Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards are into their 18th year, but Covid-19 restrictions meant the 2020 event had to re-thought from scratch. LAPG CEO Chris Minnoch says: ‘We decided soon after lockdown... continue reading
LAPG makes four special awards, to honour the ‘social justice heroes of the pandemic’
‘We are proud to recognise colleagues whose decisive actions at the start of the outbreak and since have helped save many lives,’ says LAPG CEO Chris Minnoch. Three individuals and one organisation are being recognised by LAPG during this uniquely challenging year (further details about each winner, below): – Richard Atkinson, partner at Tuckers Solicitors,... continue reading
LAPG Response to the LAA Consultation: Payments on Account
This consultation was launched by the LAA on 2 June 2020 and followed intervention by LAPG and other bodies requesting more flexibility over the POA system and other forms of interim or staged payment mechanisms to alleviate cash flow concerns for legal aid providers. The LAA has proposed an amendment to the Costs Assessment Guidance... continue reading
LAPG Response to the LAA Consultation: Amendments to the Cost Assessment Guidance (to Facilitate LAA Assessment of all Civil Bills)
The COVID-19 crisis has had a significant impact on the functioning of the court system, with all courts initially closing and then a partial and gradual resumption of hearings in different geographic and practice areas. Over the past few months, some have re-opened but with limited capacity to manage the backlog of cases. One consequence... continue reading
LAPG Response to the Criminal Legal Aid Review: Accelerated Areas Consultation
We are acutely aware of the precipice on which criminal defence firms currently exist. We were encouraged by the idea of the Criminal Legal Aid Review (CLAR), and hopeful that there may be a commitment to pay legal aid practitioners fairly for work done. We understood that the process would take time, to ensure a... continue reading
LAPG COVID-19 Email Support Service – FAQs Edition 1 (25 May 2020)
We have released the first set of FAQs submitted to our COVID-19 email support service. The FAQ document has been designed as a resource for legal aid practitioners to keep up to date with and understand the practical application of the many measures that have been introduced or relaxed in response to the crisis. This... continue reading
Finalists announced for the 2020 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards
The criminal defence solicitor who led the way on county lines and modern slavery cases; plus the barrister behind the Supreme Court ruling in Samuels, are among 34 individuals and organisations shortlisted for this year’s LALY awards. Finalists of the Legal Aid Practitioners Group 2020 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards range from a... continue reading
Lord Chancellor responds on access to justice for people in custody during the COVID-19 pandemic
The Lord Chancellor has responded to a join letter from LAPG and the Association of Prison Lawyers raising concerns about practical arrangements for private legal consultations with people in custody during the current ‘lockdown’ period. During this time people in prison continue to have urgent legal matters across all areas of law that require them... continue reading
Access to Justice for people in custody during the COVID-19 pandemic
LAPG and APL have written to the Lord Chancellor about practical arrangements for private legal consultations with people in custody during the current ‘lockdown’ period. During this time people in prison continue to have urgent legal matters across all areas of law that require them to have contact with their lawyers. Read the full letter... continue reading