The Fragility of Civil Legal Aid by Matthew Howgate
“At the heart of any review of the civil legal aid scheme should be the simple principle that legal aid should always pay enough to cover costs and, if possible, allow just a little profit to invest in its future.” By Matthew Howgate FCMI, Organisation Development Consultant and Head of the LAPG Management & Leadership… continue reading
LAPG opens nominations for the 2023 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards!
Nominations close: 24 April 2023; winners announced: 12 July. Legal Aid Practitioners Group is proud to launch the 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 21st anniversary of these non-profit-making awards; and we are… continue reading
Getting to know LAPG’s Co-Chair – Jenny Beck KC (Hon)
Director of Beck Fitzgerald. Running niche family law firm with 25 full time staff whilst managing a small but complex caseload and actively campaigning for improvements to the family justice system LAPG role: Co-Chair What does this involve? Active engagement in all 3 arms of our work. Policy and influencing– attending meetings, drafting campaign… continue reading
The frustrations of being a Legal aid lawyer – Volume 1 by Patricia Beckett (Wilsons Solicitors)
Not a day passes when I don’t feel intense frustration about the government’s unconcealed disdain for legal aid lawyers. Legal aid lawyers are an amazing, but fast dwindling, group of human beings. No-one really just ends up being a legal aid lawyer, it’s a conscious decision the practitioner makes either when looking for a training… continue reading
Judicial Review – even when permission is refused on papers, you can always claim something! by Paul Seddon (Seddon Costs Law)
I recently received a solicitor’s instruction to prepare a claim for costs on judicial review. The solicitor mentioned that there was another JR for the same client but she understood that nothing could be claimed because permission was refused. But this isn’t the case, at the very least you can claim the issue fee and… 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
LAPG announces shortlist for 2022 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards
The lawyer acting for an autistic teenager denied a potentially life-saving kidney transplant; one of the defence solicitors in the Colston Four case; and the first UK university advice clinic to secure a legal aid contract, are among the 29 individuals and six organisations selected as LALY22 finalists. New for LALY22: Legal Aid Support Staffer… continue reading
LAPG publishes the findings of the 2021 Legal Aid Census
LAPG publishes the Legal Aid Census – the first piece of research of its kind to look at the social justice sector as a whole. Unique research tells the story of legal aid lawyers across England and Wales – from entry to the profession, throughout their careers, and beyond. As legal aid deserts spread throughout… continue reading
Nominations now open for the 2022 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards
LAPG opens nominations for its 20th ‘legal aid Oscars’! Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards mark 20th anniversary, with return to an in-person ceremony, after 2 years’ of virtual events. Nominations close: 25 April 2022; new award category for LALY22: legal aid support staffer. Legal Aid Practitioners Group is proud to launch the 2022… continue reading
We are recruiting! Join us to support the training and development of specialist legal practitioners
We have today launched two concurrent recruitment processes to find project management specialists to deliver and expand our learning and development offer for legal professionals. We are seeking two Service Co-ordinators to manage our training and support services. While the two posts will work closely together, one will co-ordinate our existing programme with a focus… continue reading
Westminster Commission on Legal Aid report launch: recommendations to improve the sustainability of legal aid
The Westminster Commission on Legal Aid, created by a cross-party panel of parliamentarians under the auspices of the APPG on Legal Aid, has published its report and recommendations after a year-long Inquiry into the state of the legal aid sector. The Commission has set out a series of practical and necessary reforms that the government… continue reading
Winners announced for the 2021 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards!
This year’s LALY winners were announced last Tuesday 6th of July. What a wonderful night celebrating once again our Legal Aid heroes. Read our official press release here to get all the details.
LAPG announces the winners of the 2021 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards
LAPG hosts the second ‘lockdown LALY awards’ to celebrate the vital work of social justice lawyers during the pandemic. Winners at last night’s awards include solicitor and barrister duo behind successful challenges to Home Office ‘No Recourse to Public Funds’ policy. Adam Hundt, from Deighton Pierce Glynn, and Alex Goodman, from Landmark Chambers, were named… continue reading
LAPG announces Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards 2021 finalists
A housing barrister who is playing a leading role in challenging ‘No DSS’ landlords; and a solicitor who defended the parents of ‘Jihadi Jack’ Letts, have been honoured by this year’s LALY awards judges. The pair are among 26 individuals and nine organisations chosen as finalists in the Legal Aid Practitioners Group 2021 Legal Aid… continue reading
LAPG launches 2021 Legal Aid Census ‘to show true state of social justice sector’
Lawyers across England and Wales are urged to ‘stand up and be counted’, by taking part in a unique drive to gather data from the legal aid front line. LAPG survey has been devised in conjunction with leading legal academics from Newcastle University Law School, Cardiff University and University College London who will be analysing… continue reading
We’re delighted to announce the judging panel for the 2021 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards
After the success of the 2020 ‘Lockdown LALYs’ the 2021 LALY awards are now in full swing as we build up to this year’s virtual ceremony on the evening of the 6th of July. Nominations are open until the 19th of April, after which this year’s judging panel will have the difficult task of selecting… continue reading
LAPG’s 2021 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards are now open.
Nominations close on 19 April; new award category for this year: Disability Rights. Winners of the 12 awards will be announced on 6 July at a virtual ceremony to be broadcast online. The 2021 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year (LALY) awards have been launched by the Legal Aid Practitioners Group, with awards in 12… continue reading
LAPG Annual Legal Aid Conference – 22-26 February 2021
Join us for LAPG’s first foray into a fully digital conference. With a superb mix of workshops delivering practitioner-focused content. We have a packed calendar of events to help you develop new skills and refine your existing ones, sessions to enable you to feed into policy development and social events. With launch and closing events,… continue reading
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 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
Community Care Judicial Review and Legal Aid – The need for Delegated Functions and preventing work at risk
HLPA, LCN and LAPG have written to the Ministry of Justice calling for urgent changes to the JR regulations which are impeding access to justice during these extraordinary times, putting people at risk as the Government has removed statutory duties to assess and provide care to adults and has provided local government with wide discretionary… continue reading
LAPG launches new COVID-19 support service for legal aid providers
Service is free and open to all legal aid providers for business continuity and LAA contract compliance issues arising directly from the COVID-19 crisis LAPG has launched a dedicated email support service for legal aid providers. The service has been created with support from The Legal Education Foundation to assist with LAA contract compliance and… continue reading
Updated LAPG Guidance on what the Legal Aid Contract and LAA COVID-19 Guidance Allows
With thanks again to consultant Matthew Howgate, we have published the following updated guidance on Legal Aid Agency (LAA) contract compliance in the wake of the measures introduced by the LAA and the steps that providers are needing to take during the COVID-19 crisis. This guidance takes into account and seeks to interpret LAA guidance… continue reading
Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards – what is the impact of COVID-19?
We’ve released a statement setting out our contingency plans for LALY20 in the face of the current COVID-19 crisis. We think the LALYs will be more important this year than ever before. Legal aid firms and organisations are doing some incredible work under the most trying of circumstances and they deserve to be recognised and… continue reading
LAPG Guidance on what the Legal Aid Contract and LAA COVID-19 Guidance Allows
With thanks to consultant Matthew Howgate, we have published the following guidance on Legal Aid Agency (LAA) contract compliance in the wake of the measures introduced by the LAA and the steps that providers are needing to take during the COVID-19 crisis. This guidance takes into account and seeks to interpret LAA guidance released here… continue reading
Latest LAPG Update – COVID-19 and the legal aid sector
We have published our latest update, usually restricted to LAPG members, because it is critical at this time that practitioners from across the sector have access to as much information as possible. If you have any questions or comments about the content of the update please contact us: office@lapg.co.uk Download LAPG Update 8 of 2020… continue reading
COVID-19 – Issues facing legal aid providers and the action we need from the LAA
This is a crisis – not a looming crisis – a current crisis for legal aid COVID-19 is having a profound impact on society and legal aid providers are part of the fabric of the support network that is required to ensure we can get through this crisis. Legal aid providers are not (yet) considered… continue reading
General Election 2019: What are the politicians saying about justice and legal aid?
Not sure who to vote for on the 12th of December? If justice is a burning issue for you (as it is for us) then read this helpful summary prepared by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Legal Aid which summarises what all the main parties have said, or pledged, on justice issues and legal aid. … continue reading
Winners announced for the 2019 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards!
The winners of the 2019 LALY awards we announced at a ceremony in central London last night. Read our official press release here for all the details.
Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards – Finalists Announced!
The shortlist for this year’s Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards has been announced. As always, the finalists are an incredible group of legal aid lawyers and organisations, showcasing the life-changing work of those working in publicly-funded legal advice. For more information and a full list of finalists read the our press release here…. continue reading
It’s LALY time! Nominations now open for the 2019 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards
Nominations for the 17th Legal Aid Practitioners Group Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards are now open. Nomination period ends 30 April; winners to be announced at awards at ceremony on 10 July in central London. Download the full press release here Download the Flyer here The 2019 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year… continue reading
Latest legal aid statistics show worrying downward trend in access
The government released the official legal aid statistic on 13 December 2018, brining the data set up to date to 30 September 2018. Worryingly, crime expenditure and workload have both decreased. Fewer civil legal help matters have been started, continuing the trend since the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO). Mediation… continue reading
Duncan Lewis wins access to justice challenge against LAA and Lord Chancellor
Duncan Lewis Solicitors have successfully challenged the Legal Aid Agency’s refusal to backdate legal aid certificates, even where solicitors have made a legal aid application as promptly as possible and it is necessary to begin work in order to secure access to justice for a client before the Legal Aid Agency has granted a certificate…. continue reading
Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards – Finalists Announced!
The shortlist for this year’s Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards has been announced. As always, the finalists are an incredible group of legal aid lawyers and organisations, showcasing the life-changing work of those working in publicly-funded legal advice. Read the full press release here.
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
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
Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards Winners Announced!
The winners across 12 categories were named at a ceremony in central London on 5 July 2017. Read the full official press release here.
Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards 2017 – nominations now open!
Nominations for the 15th Legal Aid Practitioners Group Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards are now open. Following success last year, sponsorship for popular Legal Aid Newcomer award to be raised through crowdfunding again. Nomination period ends 28 April; Baroness Doreen Lawrence OBE to present awards at ceremony on 5 July… continue reading
New Legal Aid Manifesto prioritises vulnerable groups in society – children, disabled people and victims of domestic violence
The Legal Aid Practitioners Group (LAPG) has today launched the Manifesto for Legal Aid, which calls for immediate changes to be made to the legal aid system to improve access to justice for vulnerable groups. The Manifesto highlights those areas where changes to legal aid – particularly those brought in under the Legal Aid, Sentencing… continue reading
The All-Party Group (APG) on Legal Aid
For more information about the All Party Group, please go to https://www.apg-legalaid.org/
Shelter is recruiting a Solicitor (Newcastle)
Shelter is looking for a solicitor. Using your legal expertise, you will play a key role in tackling housing injustice and unfair housing practices. You will be working under Shelter’s Legal Aid contract, delivering legal advice and representing tenants at court where needed. Delivering systemic change through legal challenge to prevent homelessness will also be… continue reading
Simpson Millar is recruiting an Education and Children’s Rights Solicitor
Simpson Millar is looking for an Education and Children’s Rights Solicitor. While experience in Education Law and/or Legal Aid is desirable, they are equally keen to hear from applicants with a genuine interest in developing their career in these areas. They welcome candidates who are passionate about making a positive difference to clients’ lives and… continue reading
Public Law Project is recruiting a Justice First Fellow (Wales)
Public Law Project is looking for a Justice First Fellow based in Wales. The Justice First Fellowship (JFF) is a two-year, fully funded legal training programme for aspiring social justice lawyers. Run by LEF, JFF has supported 170 fellows since 2014, with most continuing to work in social justice law. As a fellow at PLP,… continue reading
The Howard League for Penal Reform is recruiting a Lawyer
The Howard League for Penal Reform is looking for a lawyer to join their legal team who can: The Howard League for Penal Reform is the world’s oldest prison reform charity. Their overriding ambition is to move the dial on punishment towards building a more humane and effective response to crime, that provides justice to… continue reading
Shelter is recruiting a Lawyer (Dorset)
Shelter is looking for a lawyer. You will be delivering high quality legal services, through casework and ensuring Legal aid contract requirements and performance targets are met. Also, you will be able to identify test case opportunities to address systemic bad practice and so achieve change for a greater number of people. The role will… continue reading