Organisational
#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.
Is there a ‘culture of refusal’ within the LAA? Legal Action Group needs your views - by 15th November.
Published 13/11/2019 by Claire Gilbert
Is there a ‘culture of refusal’ within the LAA? Legal Action Group needs your views- by 15th November.
Supreme Court decision on Human Rights duties for Courts & Local Authorities - DWP & “Bedroom Tax”
Published 13/11/2019 by Claire Gilbert
The Supreme Court clarified today that Courts & Local Authorities can set aside government regulations that are incompatible with human rights legislation. The case stemmed from challenges to the 2013 housing benefit changes widely labelled the 'bedroom tax'and was supported by human rights organisations Liberty, Child Poverty Action Group and Public Law Project (PLP), with international firm Herbert Smith Freehills. PLP director Jo Hickman said: 'This judgment re-affirms that people should be able to enforce their human rights under the European Convention on Human Rights in any court or tribunal, without having to bring separate legal proceedings - just as the Human Rights Act says they should be able to.
Seminar for Health Charities on fundraising from patients - 28 November 2019 by Blackbaud
Published 13/11/2019 by Claire Gilbert
Fundraising in the Health Sector? Seminar on "Unlocking How Health Charities Can Raise More" - looking at the psychology and neuroscience behind giving by patients and family members. Thursday November 28 2019 at 2:00pm GMT This practical and actionable session also considers how health charities can effectively and respectfully engage key allies and stakeholders to advance this very niche area of donor engagement.
Watch! Video of Solicitor General on how to make Pro Bono Costs Orders
Published 13/11/2019 by Claire Gilbert
How much do you know about Pro Bono Costs Orders? Watch our video of the Solicitor General talking about Pro Bono Costs
System Reflect - Free one day event in February 2020 on 1:1 service delivery - by Mayday Trust and Frontline Network
Published 06/11/2019 by Claire Gilbert
Free one day event on Tuesday 4th February 2020 with Mayday Trust and Frontline Network to share learning around developing and delivering a truly person-led service. This session is experiential and allows for reflection on the current deficit based system, debunking some of the myths around people going through tough times. It aims to challenge mind-sets and behaviours around ‘fixing’ and power dynamics, explores how strength-based approaches work in practice and how internal culture and external systems need to change to create the environment for people to genuinely take the lead.
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’.
Charity Leaders’ Summit - One Day Conference on 31 March 2020 (London) - Bookings now open!
Published 06/11/2019 by Claire Gilbert
Charity Leaders' Summit - leading through challenging times. Spend the day learning from exceptional leaders and hear how they overcame challenges similar to those you’re facing. You will leave inspired, with fresh perspectives and renewed purpose. Early Bird tickets available until 13 December 2019.
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.
Advice & Tips on Email Management & Time Saving - by Law Care
Published 16/10/2019
Many of us struggle daily with an avalanche of emails. Law Care promotes good mental health and well being in the legal community, and has published its top 10 tips with advice on how to manage your email effectively and free up your time!
myCourtroom – exploring the family court
Published 08/07/2019
Cafcass and the Centre for Child Protection at the University of Kent have launched an interactive online court simulation to help prepare separated parents for family proceedings.
Grant launched to support staff resilience
Published 22/05/2019
City Bridge Trust launches a new grant focused on supporting staff resilience and mental health – deadline 14th June 2019
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.
LawWorks - Autumn Training
Published 03/09/2018
LawWorks is pleased to announce our training session dates for Autumn 2018. The programme of training for LawWorks members and clinic volunteers aims to support the provision of pro bono legal advice. LawWorks also provides training in professional advice skills.
Supporting financial difficulty and mental wellbeing - what practical actions can organisations take?
Published 10/08/2018
In 2017, the University of Bristol’s Personal Finance Research Centre (PFRC), as part of a series of events exploring the relationship between financial difficulty and mental wellbeing. Tackling areas such as suicide and debt, gambling and debt and money, mental health and ageing, the events have produced some initial practical ways that organisations can help people in financial difficulty who have mental health problems or are in other ‘vulnerable situations’ that may affect their wellbeing.
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.
