Release is looking for a Supervising Solicitor (Housing – Legal Aid)
Release is recruiting a Supervising Solicitor (Housing) – Legal Aid – available on either a part‑time or full‑time basis—to help shape and expand their legal services at the intersection of social justice community care law, and harm reduction.to help grow Release’s rights-based legal services for marginalised communities. If you’re an experienced housing legal aid practitioner committed to social justice, harm reduction… 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 welcomes Justice Committee report into legal aid
Legal Aid Practitioners Group has today (17 July 2026) welcomed the House of Commons Justice Committee’s Third Report of Session 2026-27, ‘Access to Justice: Legal Aid’. The Committee’s conclusions and recommendations in relation to legal aid provision across England and Wales are closely aligned to what we and our legal aid practitioner members have been… continue reading
Leeds Citizens Advice & Law Centre is recruiting a Housing Caseworker
Leeds Citizens Advice & Law Centre is looking for a Housing caseworker. As a Housing Caseworker, you will work closely with the Housing Solicitor and Money Advice Team in particular, advising clients on a range of housing issues, including homelessness, possession and eviction, disrepair, and renters’ rights. An understanding of eligibility and scope for legal… continue reading
Hopkin Murray Beskine is looking for a Paralegal
Hopkin Murray Beskine is recruiting a paralegal to assist their busy housing and public law team. Paralegals in their housing and public law team provide support in a range of interesting work, including judicial review, housing possession and disrepair claims in the County Court, and homelessness challenges and appeals. They have excellent resources including a… continue reading
Shelter is recruiting a Housing Solicitor or Paralegal – Outreach (Rochdale)
Shelter is recruiting a Housing Solicitor or Paralegal. Based with their partnering organisations, you will ensure you deliver high quality legal services through casework, the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Scheme and ensuring Legal Aid contract requirements and performance targets are met. Shelter exists to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything…. continue reading
Central England Law Centre is looking for a Housing Caseworker or Solicitor
Central England Law Centre is recruiting an experienced caseworker or solicitor to join the team, supporting their clients across Birmingham in the delivery of casework through the Law Centre’s Legal Aid contract. Central England Law Centre (CELC) provides a vital service to clients across Coventry and Birmingham, providing support for all aspects of housing law… continue reading
Osbornes Law is looking for a Housing Solicitor
Osbornes Law is recruiting for a full-time solicitor with experience in housing law to join their expanding and award-winning Housing and Social Care team. Experience in community care and public law would also be desirable, but not essential. The role will provide an exciting opportunity for the successful solicitor to handle a diverse caseload. Osbornes… continue reading
Nominations for the 2026 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards are now open!
Winners in 10 award categories will be announced 3 July; deadline for entries 21 April. Legal Aid Practitioners Group is proud to announce the launch of the 24th annual Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards, the only event dedicated solely to celebrating the social justice legal community. As well as awards covering all areas… 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 announces winners of the 2024 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards
Solicitor behind legal challenges that halted flights to Rwanda named as winner of Outstanding Achievement award. Former MP Karen Buck honoured for commitment to legal aid and housing justice with a Special Award from LAPG Board. Toufique Hossain, Director of Public Law at Duncan Lewis Solicitors, has been named as winner of the top accolade… continue reading
LAPG announces shortlist for the 2024 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards
A billing team who saved the day after their Bolton-based firm’s IT supplier was subject to a cyberattack; a solicitor described as ‘an extraordinary force for good’ for her work with Albanian children seeking asylum in the UK; and the managing director of a legal aid firm in rural West Wales have all been selected… continue reading
Nominations open for the 2024 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards!
Nominations for 2024 awards close: 22 April; winners announced: 5 July. LAPG is proud to launch the 2024 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 22nd anniversary of these non-profit-making awards, which continue to… 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 announces shortlist for 2023 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards
This year’s LALY finalists include: the young barrister who founded Black Protest Legal Support; young law centre solicitor who won additional financial support to protect asylum seekers from destitution; lawyers who have brought multiple successful challenges over the British government’s refusal to relocate Afghan nationals at risk from the Taliban. Legal Aid Practitioners Group is… 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
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
LAPG publishes response to MOJ consultation on the future of housing possession duty schemes
We have today published our response to the Ministry of Justice’s consultation: Housing Legal Aid: the way forward – A consultation on the future of the Housing Possession Court Duty Scheme. In our response we acknowledge the positive and constructive concepts mooted by the MOJ to improve both the long-term viability of duty schemes and… continue reading
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
Housing Possession Court Duty Schemes – LAPG response to the LAA’s consultation
The government is set to lift the stay on housing possession cases on 23 August 2020. Many have voiced considerable concern about the potential flood of evictions that will arise once court proceedings resume due to the economic impact of the pandemic. The MoJ and HMCTS have been working closely with legal aid providers and… 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
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
Cyfraith Gymunedol y Gogledd / North Wales Community Law is recruiting for a Centre Director
North Wales Community Law is looking for an experienced charity leader to work alongside their Board of Trustees to lead the next phase of their development. This is a varied role combining strategic leadership, governance, fundraising, partnership development and organisational management. You’ll work with a committed team, an engaged Board and a wide range of… continue reading
LAPG’s response to the HPCDS consultation
Read LAPG’s response to the Ministry of Justice consultation: ‘Housing Possession Court Duty Scheme: Towards a More Sustainable Service’ We broadly support the proposals, but raise concerns about the need for and impact of price competitive tendering on travel costs (while noting that paying travel costs is a welcome proposal) and wider concerns about court… continue reading
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
Shelter is recruiting a Solicitor (Sheffield)
Shelter is looking for a Housing solicitor. Using your legal expertise, you will play a key role in tackling housing injustice and unfair housing practices. You will be working under their Legal Aid contract, delivering legal advice and representing tenants at court where needed. Delivering systemic change through legal challenge to prevent homelessness will also… continue reading
Osbornes Law is recruiting a Litigation Solicitor
Osbornes Law is looking for a full-time solicitor with experience in housing law to join their expanding and award-winning litigation legal aid team. Experience in community care and public law would also be desirable, but not essential. The role will provide an exciting opportunity for the successful solicitor to handle a diverse caseload and to make a positive difference… continue reading
Shelter Cymru is recruiting a Team Leader (Western Bay)
Shelter Cymru is looking for a Team Leader (Western Bay). The post holder will be responsible for ensuring that high quality, responsive and effective housing advice services are delivered across the Western Bay region, which includes Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend. Housing advice services are delivered by phone, through outreach-based advice surgeries, and at… continue reading
LAPG Conference 2025
Monday 20th October 2025
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We offer legal aid specific training as well as management training for private practice and not-for-profit agencies.
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Keeping you informed with latest news on 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.
Getting to know the LAPG Team – Rohini Teather
Rohini Teather. Head of Parliamentary Affairs, or rather I drink tea and coffee with MPs in Big Ben as my daughter used to say. Which is more or less an accurate idea of the role. Part of my role is running the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Legal Aid which conducts independent research on Access to… 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
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
