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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1501 comments
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S Phillips
commented
The minimal savings do not justify the inevitable social hardship this ill-considered cut will cause.
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L Sharman
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These cuts must be stopped
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gerard sagar
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MPs will debate and vote on the legal aid cuts over three days starting Monday October 31st - email your MP and ask them to vote against legal aid cuts - here > http://soundoffforjustice.org/lobby-your-mp
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Pat Jones
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I feel this is a further restriction of justice to those of low income and as such grossly unfair
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Anonymous
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Super important !! I work in legal aid giving housing, benefit and debt advice. And the work that is done by all my colleagues makes real difference to peoples lives. Not just people on benefits as is the apparently common belief, but young people on low incomes, unable to get additional financial help via working tax credits, pensioners, people who are disabled, and young families with children. Not forgetting people who have recently lost their jobs, or recently experienced another massive life event. We can not take away help for people that need it the most WHEN they need it the most. It is foolish for the government to think that cutting Legal Aid will cut costs. The long terms costs to local authorities of re-homing families who have lost their homes, (when with legal advice, they most likely would be able to remain in their homes - much cheaper for the tax payer); to the National health service costs in dealing with the physiological 'fall out' that comes when people are about to lose their homes, or in debt (mental health issues for example). The financial losses in local communities as people have less money to spend in local shops and on local services due to benefits being cut, and, especially in rural areas, as people have to move away to find work. People, I am not the most eloquent of speakers, but I knew I had to leave a comment on an issue so important as this. We can make our voices be heard and we can make a stand against to ensure that we do not let this government take a step towards tearing down our human society.
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Basil Andrews
commented
We are protesting against the cuts to legal aid in Trafalgar Square 12pm Sunday 16th October please join us https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=105651319543574
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Basil Andrews
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This cuts must be stopped , children appear to be the biggest victims.
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Malindi Lovergrove
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I think we must uphold human rights, legal aid should be available for all who need it especially those without financial means.
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cathayb commented
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tony frost
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If this goes through, only those with money can buy you justice.
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Logie
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I have rented out a house to the same lady for the last five years and when I got made redundant in April I had to give her notice to quit as I need to sell the house and have access to the small amount of equity that is in it. The original idea of having this investment wad to be able to suopport my children through university when/if the time comes. Herself and her partner are on far more money than me now and she also gets three loads of maintenance from the fathers if her children. For the last six months she has used legal aid to refuse to move out of my property and because we are in dispute she has also with held the rent. The Citizens Advice Solicitor has along with here abused this system for the financial gain they both have made. My redundancy payment has now been used by me paying a solicitor. When I asked why they were entitled to Legal Aid he said 'there is a special pot for tenants in dispute with landlords.' there was no dispute I just asked through the right channels and following the correct procedures for my house back. This women knows the system as I have been made aware she has done this 3 times before. This is certainly not a campaign I will be supporting and I will not donate to 38 degrees again.
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Brido
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I have respect for those in need and wish the legal aid system to be fair for all. Now I use the word "fair" as it is abused by some. My current partner is going through a messy divorce ...... her ex is on legal aid whilst he remains living in their property. He changed the locks so she could not gain access and harrassed her day and night.
He set out his stall early saying he would drag out the divorce as she would run out of money eventually !! He is true to his word and has been dragging out proceedings now for 3½ years !! As my partner is privately funded she is finding the financial burden a huge strain and close to deciding if it's economically viable to continue.
So why does the legal aid system bankroll an individual to bankrupt another ?? Complete waste of taxpayers money in this case but how often does it get highlighted ? There could have been many thousands saved in solicitors fee's not only from the public purse but also from my partners wages ( money that she will never get back ). Ironic that she works, earns a wage that goes on solicitors fee's and is taxed which helps pay for the legal aid system that is being used unfairly against her. Maybe she should stop working and then claim legal aid so she can continue to defend herself ?
3½ years and still no end in sight ....... we need to sort out this type of case to allow those that actually need legal aid would have access to the funds they deserve.
Rant over !
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cathay
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cathay
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cathay
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George Papazoff
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I comfirmed My like to be site by site with You.I do not like the HM'S Government design the legal aid to be off.I wait from 2009 the LSC/London Office Them Requst about my claim for legal aid.They comment to me that
have dificults to find a Solicitor,who will like to fill in my claim form for Legal Aid.In fact a years before LSC deny for my case Legal Aid.I comfirmed I'm with You!!! -
geoff lee
commented
For "certain kinds of case" read "most cases" To deny legal help for those in need of it in most of the categories is a disgrace.
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Mark Chamberlain
commented
I think it's very important that we fight this. What happens if you want to mount a legal case against a big, monied person/organisation? If this bill becomes an act, nothing. You won't be able to fight because, unless you can afford a solicitor's fees, you might as well drop the case.
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Anonymous
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Why make cuts to legal aid when this wil only cause more burden on the legal profession. It is necessary ad counter productive.
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Anonymous
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The cuts to legal aid will lead already disadvantaged individuals with no voice. It will lead to a 2-tier system where the rich will have access to justice and the poor will not. In the last 2 employment tribunals where I represented claimants pro bono, the employer was represented by counsel. Aggressive tactics were employed which, I am convinced, would have resulted in an unrepresented claimant giving up entirely valid and reasonable cases. Is this the future of the great British legal system?
Probably, soon to be ex-Law Centre worker!
