Research Workstream
#GeneralElection2019 - Human Rights: what do the parties say? Excellent infographic by Rights Info
Published 27/11/2019 by Claire Gilbert
THE GENERAL ELECTION & HUMAN RIGHTS Rights Info is looking at each of the party manifestos and has picked out the key policies relating to human rights. There are huge issues in this election around access to justice and protections of rights. This useful summary brings together the pledges in one place. Rights Info will be updating their page as new manifestos are released.
Call for evidence: Very High Cost Cases (VHCCs) - delays and other problems?
Published 20/11/2019 by Claire Gilbert
The Bar Council Remuneration Committee is reviewing issues faced by barristers across all civil Very High Cost Cases (VHCCs) excluding family VHCCs, including late payments. that you have been experiencing, with the intention of raising the issue with the Legal Aid Agency. The review is specifically concerned with delays, but other issues should also be raised. Deadline for responses has been extended to Thursday 28th November.
Legal Reporting Awards - competition now open! (Bar Council annual award)
Published 20/11/2019 by Claire Gilbert
Calling all Journalists - The Bar Council's 28th Legal Reporting Awards competition has opened. The competition is open to print/online and broadcast journalists in recognition of the media's role in promoting a greater understanding of the law to the public. The winning entries in each category will be awarded £1,000 in prize money. Entries close 2 December 2019 23:59pm.
Lesson for funders – public support for Human Rights must be cultivated
Published 20/11/2019 by Claire Gilbert
The Thomas Paine Initiative has called on funders to help capture the public’s hearts and minds, and counteract the threat to democracy from populist leaders. “Public opinion cannot be left to chance”, and communications strategy must be nurtured“at every stage” of the grant making process.
Benefits claims in Wales - 4/5 appeals are successful (Wales - BBC coverage)
Published 20/11/2019 by Claire Gilbert
Four in five appeals processed in Wales against UK government decisions to deny people disability benefits succeeded, new data shows. Government officials said appeals made up a small share of all claims. Charities said the success rate of appeals showed benefits assessments were beset by "poor decision-making" and "obvious inaccuracies".
More people than ever turning to Food Banks - Trussell Trust new figures (Guardian coverage)
Published 20/11/2019 by Claire Gilbert
Trussell Trust reveals steepest increase in Food Bank usage in five years as it hands out 823,000 emergency food parcels in six months. The trust, which runs two-thirds of the UK’s food banks, said it distributed a record 823,145 food parcels between April and September, including 301,653 that went to children. This was a 23% increase on the same period last year, representing the steepest rise the charity has witnessed since its network of food banks was fully established.
Help! Charity seeking Immigration Solicitors to help in mapping undocumented migrants before Brexit
Published 13/11/2019 by Claire Gilbert
The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, a charity that has fought hard to dismantle the government's 'hostile environment' policy, is asking immigration solicitors for help to map the UK's undocumented migrant population ahead of Brexit. JCWI said: 'For our campaign to really achieve the impact we'd like, we need a rock solid understanding of the undocumented population. No one knows better than immigration lawyers the complexity and narrowness of existing routes to documentation..."
Housing Law - Findings on proposal to abolish s21 “No Fault Evictions” - by Frontline Network
Published 13/11/2019 by Claire Gilbert
Frontline Network ran a seven-question survey, asking frontline workers for their views on repealing s21 of the Housing Act 1988 (No Fault Evictions). The findings confirmed that frontline workers strongly believe landlords should no longer be able to evict tenants at short notice, and without good reason. Key Findings: * 73% of frontline workers believed that Section 21 (Housing Act 1988) should be repealed, in contrast to 12% who didn’t (15% were unsure). * Most significantly, 84% of frontline workers stated they have supported individuals who have been made homeless as a result of receiving a Section 21 eviction notice. * A further 75% of frontline workers believe that Section 21 (Housing Act 1988) has either a negative or very negative impacted upon their ability to prevent homelessness. * Most frontline workers, 71%, believed that repealing Section 21 (Housing Act 1988) would have a positive or very positive impact on their ability to prevent homelessness in the future.
Launch - Frontline Worker Survey 2019! (For those working in homelessness)
Published 06/11/2019 by Claire Gilbert
The Frontline Network wants to hear from you if you're a "frontline worker" in homelessness. This is a great opportunity to share your ideas and expertise. What are the challenges you face? Tell them about the great work that you do to overcome some of these challenges. "Decision makers need to listen to frontline workers when developing strategies to reduce homelessness. Help us amplify the voice of frontline workers and develop resources guided by you. The survey has 8 sections and will take approximately 15 minutes to complete". Frontline worker is defined as a paid worker who directly supports people who are experiencing homelessness, inc. those working in the Voluntary, Statutory, and Public sectors.
Survey for Immigration Practitioners on Paths to Regularisation - still open
Published 06/11/2019 by Claire Gilbert
The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants is still collecting responses to a short survey aimed at immigration practitioners who represent or advise undocumented migrants seeking to regularise their status in the UK. They are collecting this data to inform their project looking at how best to advocate for new and better paths to regularisation. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]. The "Routes to Regularisation" Survey should take around 5 minutes. All answers are anonymous.
New study of the “lawtech ecosystem” - funding awarded to Oxford’s Saïd Business School
Published 06/11/2019 by Claire Gilbert
A new study by Oxford's Saïd Business School will be launched to study the lawtech 'ecosystem'. The 18-month project will 'map the movement of people and finance in and out of the system,' and aim to enhance the innovation and startup scene by identifying principal players. The government's Economic and Social Research Council has provided £213,000 funding. The project will complement existing University of Oxford research, also funded by the research council, which is seeking to ’unlock the potential for AI for English law’.
New report - Devolution of justice in Wales?
Published 06/11/2019
New 556 page report by Commision on Justice in Wales has made 78 recommendations for reform, concluding that that Wales should take over control of both policy and funding from Westminster. Recommendations include: A new justice department of the Welsh government led by a cabinet minister, a Welsh High Court and Court of Appeal, and a criminal legal aid system run on ’Nordic’ public defender lines.
Law Society releases introductory guide to Law Tech
Published 16/10/2019
The Law Society has released an introductory guide to lawtech which will help solicitors and others delivering legal services to consider the merits of technology in their professional practice.
LSB event - Initial Findings on Legal Needs and Capability
Published 16/10/2019
The Legal Services Board will be talking about its initial high level findings from the largest ever legal needs survey in England & Wales on 29th October.
Homelessness survey 2019: How you can help
Published 01/10/2019
Homeless Link’s Annual Review: Support for Single Homeless People in England provides a comprehensive picture of the state of the homelessness sector and is the only data source of its kind available on homelessness services in England. It relies on help from its members and other frontline services to collect data and present information on the current service provision for people experiencing homelessness in England. If you work in the sector, your help is invaluable.
Law Society report: Technology, access to justice and the rule of law
Published 01/10/2019 by Lisa Naylor
The Law Society's report presents a thorough and interesting look at the impact of technology on the access to justice sector and what can be done to make improvements in the future.
Podcast and blog: Making research work
Published 01/10/2019
Cordis Bright designed and conducted research alongside Expert by Experience to evaluate the Making Every Adult Matter Approach. Listen to interviews with staff and people living with disadvantage on their podcast and read about their attitude to research and the valuable lessons they learned on their blog.
Do clients prefer online contact to speaking with lawyers?
Published 03/05/2019 by Stacey Lamb
Research by mmadigital shows that cost and lack of understanding of legal services could see consumer clients try to avoid direct contact with lawyers.
Housing First vs. housing Court
Published 05/04/2019
With a potential housing court still being discussed, in amongst the court reform programme, we examine the implications for some of the most vulnerable users of the would be system.
How complaints can affect wellbeing on the frontline
Published 05/04/2019
Frustrations with the system and a lack of available advice resources can often manifest in disproportionate complaints about advice services and their staff and volunteers. An empirical investigation into the effects of complaints on public service employees by Dr Chris Gill, Carolyn Hirst, Dr Maria Sapouna and Jane Williams examines the effect this can have on workplaces.
