Campaigns
Keeping you informed with latest news on Legal Aid.
Introduction to Mental Health, Mental Capacity & Community Care Legal Aid
We have developed the second module in our Legal Aid Training series which provides a general introduction to Mental Health, Mental Capacity/Court of Protection and Community Care Legal Aid aimed at trainees, paralegals, junior lawyers and those that wish to refresh their knowledge in these areas.
Our History
A Brief History of LAPG Carol Storer OBE, LAPG Director from 2008–2018, has been thumbing through the LAPG archives and will be helping us to publish a detailed online history of LAPG later this year. In the meantime, Carol has sampled some pithy comments from the early years: – Legal aid practitioners will look back… continue reading
LAPG Conference 2025
Monday 20th October 2025
Cookie Policy
This Cookies Policy provides details on: SCOPE OF THIS NOTICE AND CONSENT This Cookies Notice applies to all Websites, services, messaging (e.g., email and online chat communication), and mobile-device applications that are operated by or on behalf of LAPG. The Cookies Notice also applies to LAPG branded pages on third party platforms. For the purposes… continue reading
Training & Support
We offer legal aid specific training as well as management training for private practice and not-for-profit agencies.
LALY Awards
“One for all and all for legal aid!”
LAPG Conference 2024
The LAPG Annual Conference took place on Friday, 8th of November 2024 at Herbert Smith Freehills.
LAPG Membership
Join now to help us fight for legal aid in the face of the Legal Support Action Plan.
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LAPG is a membership body representing legal aid practitioners in England and Wales and the clients they serve. We believe that access to justice is a fundamental right and as such we campaign for a fair, comprehensive and accessible legal aid scheme. We work closely with other representative bodies to raise awareness about the importance… 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
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
LAPG Announces Winners of the 2022 LALY Awards
Legal Aid Practitioners Group announces winners of 2022 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards at first in-person ceremony since 2019. ‘Revered’ housing barrister; solicitor acting in Colston 4 case; and lawyer specialising in ‘Kafkaesque’ Special Immigration Appeals Commission work honoured by LALY judges. Campaign group Young Legal Aid Lawyers and Marcia Willis Stewart QC… 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
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 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 is seeking new members for our Advisory Committee
We’re recruiting new members to our Advisory Committee of committed and expert legal aid practitioners and practice managers. The Advisory Committee supports our Board and staff team to: Set our strategy and objectives; Carry out policy and campaigning work; Engage with Government and respond to consultations and other issues; Answer queries from our Members; Organise… continue reading
LAPG Membership for 2020
Join now and save on our Early Bird offer It’s time for LAPG Members to renew their membership for 2020. Our membership period is annual and starts on 1 January 2020. We’re currently running an Early Bird offer, with significant discounts across all of our membership tiers. It has been another incredibly busy year for… continue reading
Notice of LAPG’s AGM – 3 October 2019 in Birmingham
All LAPG Members are cordially invited to attend our Annual General Meeting: Thursday, 3 October 2019 5.00-6.00pm Conference Aston, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET This year’s AGM marks a significant milestone in LAPG’s development. Following a comprehensive governance review we are seeking to create new and strengthen existing governance processes. We will be asking members to pass… 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
MOJ Publishes the LASPO Post-Implementation Review – Does It Go Far Enough?
Press Release Ministry of Justice’s Post-Implementation Review of Part 1 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO) The report is an overdue recognition of the crisis in access to justice, triggered by LASPO. Many of the recommendations for the future are positive, but much more is needed to remedy the… continue reading
LAPG’s Director, Carol Storer, is stepping down
After 10 years, Carol Storer is stepping down as Director of the Legal Aid Practitioners Group on 20 November 2018. Under Carol’s excellent directorship LAPG has made a huge contribution as a representative body, despite the difficult economic climate. With skill, energy and dedication Carol has helped LAPG to support legal aid practitioners so that… continue reading
It’s a great time to join or renew LAPG membership
With our new membership year commencing on the 1st of January 2018 now is the perfect time to renew your membership or join for the first time. Our members benefit from our advice, support, training, events and regular updates. But we also play a leading role in campaigning for a fairer and more accessible legal aid system. We… continue reading
Welcome changes imminent to DV regulations
After years of campaigning and litigation the government now seems ready to introduce much-needed changes to the regulations limiting access to legal aid for victims of domestic abuse. The Guardian has trailed MOJ plans to remove the time limit and expand the types of acceptable evidence of abuse, which would increase access to legal aid to… continue reading
SOLICITOR WHO FOUGHT CARE HOME CLOSURES IS MADE HONORARY QC
LAPG co-chair Nicola Mackintosh recognised for trailblazing work on behalf of vulnerable clients Nicola Mackintosh, a leading community care lawyer and sole practitioner in south London has been appointed Honorary Queen’s Counsel, a rare honour which recognises lawyers making a major contribution to the development of the law. Nicola has been a legal aid lawyer… continue reading