Legal Aid
The government has announced that it is to restrict the availability of legal aid for certain kinds of case.
This not only represents the latest attack on the poor by a Government of millionaires but also prejudices the Article 6 rights of those of limited means to achieve a fair hearing.
Campaign now to oppose the cuts in Legal Aid
Fair Justice for All
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1505 comments
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Marilyn Moylan
commented
Take legal aid away and the most vulnerable in society suffer. With the cuts we are facing today and the changes to benefits and entitlement, legal aid is more necessary than ever. Justice for all!
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BUSY BEE
commented
I am concerned that so long as campaigns to save free legal aid is run by lawyers, their main concern will be to save their jobs. This campaign has to be run by the people and supported by lawyers. The people have no ulterior motive other than protecting their Human Rights.
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nuxguy
commented
this is a huge issue, cutting legal aid, even by a tiny amount, will do untold harm to potentially everyone in the country - except very well off !
please help to reverse these really stupid plans. -
Dylan Jessop
commented
Please take up this important issue, I have been saved from eviction on many occasions with the help of legal aid solicitors.
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jez
commented
This is the most important issue facing our society since the creation of legal aid. We have prided ourselves on having one of the greatest legal systems in the World, who protect and balance the rights of all people regardless of wealth, standing, religion, race or sex. The cuts destroy two equally important aspects. Firstly it makes the legal system the preserve of the very wealthy leaving the vast majority having to weigh their rights with the depth of their pockets.
The second point which is less considered but equally as severe is the lack of quality of legal representation that is inevitable with the cuts. When such cuts are made the best and brightest lawyers will not work in the public funded sector and destroy the high standard of representation for the individual that we pride ourselves on. This means that justice is done on the cheap and that injustice in the courts will follow. This exodus has already begun.
It is time to stand up for our most fundamental right, that of right to a FAIR Trial and not just a Trial !!!
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Amber Walker
commented
Access to legal advice is a right, not a privilege. If 38 Degrees could get behind this, it would give such a boost to such an important campaign.
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Nina Busch
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"The mark of a good society is one that protects the most vulnerable". If only those with the money to pay for it can get proper legal advice and help, what justice is that, and what does it say about our society?
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Anne Geraldine Cavanagh-Adams
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Legal Aid should be available to all who require it, especially those on low incomes and are struggling to make ends meet.
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Liz Edwards
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Justice is not just if it is only available to those who can pay for it - legal aid is crucial!
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Nikki Derrick
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It is essential to a fair and democratic system that everyone is able to understand their legal rights, otherwise what is the point in having them. Without organisations like Law Centres ordinary people will end up not pursuing their legal rights because they cannot afford to, or do not understand what those rights are.
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John M
commented
How are the poor to access the justice system if legal aid is cut and CAB funding isbeing cut as well?
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AnnaG
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Access to legal advice and representations should be the right of every citizen, and not only those who can afford it. The proposed cuts would further limit that access and could lead to alienation of the poorest members of the community. All for one, and one for all - support the campaign to protect our rights!
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Miriam Philip
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It is vital that everyone has access to the legal system and the potential to defend their rights, not just the wealthy and not only those rights which the government decides it will allow people to defend. The legal aid system must be protected.
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BUSY BEE
commented
Liberty makes the following statement:
“If a person cannot afford legal representation, this can undermine their right to a fair trial, a right which is protected under Article 6 of the Human Rights Act.” I wish that all separate campaign groups who are fighting to save legal aid would join together in one campaign group. 'Justice For All' have a day of action on Friday. Please go along. My shield is the human rights act and my pen is mightier than any sword. Write to your local MP and tell them to ask Ken Clarke to reconsider his policy. Your letter will be one of thousands blocking up their admin system until they listen. -
GreenGuy
commented
The proposed changes are wrong - and Nick Clegg, this will be another one where you're out of tune with the overwhelming majority of LibDem voters. Don't betray those who care about justice - for everyone!
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Mark Ravensdale
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Access to justice is as important to the poor as the rich, probably more so. This would further limit that access and increase the alienation of the those to poor to access services.
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Rachel Jackson
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We need to protect those that can't protect themselves. Restricting access to legal aid will only increase the divide between those that have from those that don't have.
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Jason Tsiricos
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Access to justice is a crucial pillar to democracy. Don't let this Government restrict it to the well-off.
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Wolfy Neilens
commented
It will be an uphill task to beat the ultra-right propaganda machine that operates from Westminster now, but this task is not insurmountable.'We' must make sure everyone we know understands what this government is really about!
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Sarah Collins
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Combined with cuts to LA funding and end of FIF funded debt advice, next year there will be nowhere left to go for free legal advice, at a time when rising costs and benefit cuts are leaving more people struggling. More homelessness, more fuel poverty and more stress and health problems. Which costs the state more in the long term!
