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New research on litigants in person and the family court
Published 26/07/2018
Preliminary findings from research regarding litigants in person in the private family court suggest that the post-LASPO process has led LiPs to lose trust in the system and in some cases made them feel worse off than when they started.
Litigant in person costs vs pro bono costs
Published 23/07/2018
In the UK, litigants in Person can claim up to £19 per hour for time they spend working on their case (or the actual financial loss if this can prove this), where as Pro Bono costs can be claimed for any advice given for free by lawyers. But what if you're both?
Frontline Network conference focuses on wellbeing
Published 23/07/2018
From supporting staff wellbeing to supporting EEA and non-EEA migrant communities, this year's Frontline Network conference has produced a wealth of resources for frontline workers to support them in supporting others.
Using chatbots to guide litigants in person to legal information
Published 23/07/2018
A recent presentation through the Self-Represented Litigation Network (SRLN) examines how chatbots can be used to guide and direct litigants in person to useful online resources, guides and information.
Legal Expenses Insurance
Published 23/07/2018
As part of the Network's work on affordable advice our members from University House Legal Advice Centre share their resources and knowledge around legal expenses insurance and we examine how it can be used.
No one wins from litigation in person
Published 20/07/2018
With nearly 36 per cent of cases included a litigant in person this article from the Times gives an overview of the difficulties presented by litigants in person, from the court to represented parties.
Public Accounts Committee reports little confidence in reform delivery
Published 20/07/2018
The Public Accounts Committee report questions the ability of HMCTS to deliver its court reform programme saying the pressure to deliver quickly risks driving changes before fully understanding the impact on users and the wider justice system.
“Justice is not a transaction”
Published 20/07/2018
Bob Neill, chair of the House of Commons justice committee, says the justice system should be measured more by it's impacts, and asks parliament to reevaluate the resources it makes available to deliver the rule of law and access to justice.
Location, location, location - the where influences the how in co-located services
Published 19/07/2018
Co-located support services, such as Citizens Advice services at GP practices, can play a crucial role in helping both patient/clients and the service provider. A national average shows the almost a fifth of GP consultation time is spent on 'non-clinical' issues presented by clients, but how is this reflected in the poorest and most vulnerable user groups?
Mental health - it’s not just the clients we care about
Published 19/07/2018
Mental Health issues experiences by litigants in person was highlighted as one of the key issues facing the sector but following our Mental Health training in April it emerged that supporting staff and volunteers who engage with distressed people in emotive circumstances is just as important.
Legal Choices launch 18 month project to develop legal service tools
Published 29/06/2018
Legal Choices is a website which was set up by the legal services regulators to act as an independent source of public legal education on access to the legal services market. Its aim is to increase access to legal advice and representation.
HMCTS update on delivering Assisted Digital
Published 29/06/2018
As part of HMCTS court reform process more and more services are moving to online systems. To help people navigate and use these new online tool "Assisted Digital" has been designed to support users of the system. HMCTS have now provided an update on the progress of Assisted Digital design.
Advice agency opportunity - how can you benefit from legal design
Published 28/06/2018
In essence, Legal Design reformats the presentation of legal advice, information services and resources in a way which makes it easily accessible and understandable. Legal design puts the users of the system at the heart of its considerations and develops services and products based solely on their needs, understanding and likely user journey.
Free discrimination and human rights advice line aimed at advisers
Published 27/06/2018
As part of its work around improving access to justice for individuals, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is providing a second tier advice line on discrimination and human rights issues for those supporting individuals with complaints that might involve discrimination or human rights.
Signposting tools from Advice Local
Published 26/06/2018
From the creators of the hugely popular RightsNet comes Advice Local - a new signposting service which identifies local advice information and services.
Shelter Legal is now free for housing professionals
Published 26/06/2018
Shelter Legal guides you through housing law in clear, easy to understand language, explaining how legislation and case law work in practice. Fully referenced, Shelter Legal is a free, comprehensive and up-to-date housing law resource.
How do asylum seekers assert fairness in tribunal hearings?
Published 26/06/2018
New research in progress which looks at resources used by appellant asylum seekers to put their story forward at tribunal hearings. Preliminary findings of new research challenge the notion that asylum seekers play no active role in their own claim.
The risks to litigants in person when cross-examining psychologist expert witnesses
Published 26/06/2018
Concerns raised about the impact of this practice and: the potential harm of conducting such a cross-examination to the litigants in person; potential breaches of ethical conduct for the psychologist expert; and the potential impact on the quality of the evidence.
Court unit which helps reunite families faces closure
Published 26/06/2018
Family drug and alcohol courts (FDAC) ‘one of the most important developments in family justice in the last 40 years’ will close in September due to lack of funds. Independent evaluations show that FDAC saves local authorities who support the problem-solving model £2.30 for every £1 spent.
Find a legal aid adviser search service
Published 26/06/2018
Search for a legal adviser or family mediator with a legal aid contract in England and Wales.
