Research and Policy – National
#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.
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.
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.
Bar Council Legal Reporting Awards
Published 18/01/2019 by Stacey Lamb
Article on what it's like to be a litigant in person is among the winners of the Bar Council Legal Reporting Awards.
What is the scale of disinvestment in access to justice for individuals?
Published 21/11/2018 by Laura Keane
As part of Justice Week, a research report commissioned by the Bar Council of England and Wales revealed that funding for Justice has been cut by 27% in the past decade despite government expenditure increasing by 13% since the 2008 financial crisis.
LSB Report Might Give Insight Into Legal Aid Review Outcomes
Published 11/10/2018 by Suhanya Jeyashiri
Since it’s implementation, the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO) has been met with vast amounts of controversy. It has left no free legal assistance stone unturned in its quest to cut funding for advice, and the consequent impact has been seismic.
Refugee Action: Access to Justice Report Summary
Published 20/09/2018
Refugee Action’s most recent report focuses on how the legal aid cuts affect the accessibility of advice for individuals seeking assistance on immigration and asylum.
The case for national disaster legal aid in the UK
Published 31/08/2018
In this entry we examine whether the UK should follow the American example of having a national agency that provides free and immediate legal assistance to survivors of disasters, as well as resources for lawyers and information for individuals on the legal implications of such disasters. This topic will be considered in light of the aftermath of the devastating Grenfell Tower fire.
A common concern for ensuring just participation
Published 17/08/2018
Research suggests that those subject to proceedings under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 often fail to give witness testimony and may even be absent from their trial. This creates problems that are comparable to those arising for LiPs.
Could data-sharing improve the support provided to service users in vulnerable situations?
Published 10/08/2018
As a litigant in person, explaining your situation to a support or legal adviser you don’t know can be difficult. Compounding this anxiety is having to repeatedly give the same information to multiple service providers. Could data-sharing be the answer?
Q&A with Jess Mant
Published 26/07/2018
Cardiff University Lecturer, Jess Mant discusses what inspired her research on litigants in person in the family court.
