Barristers specialising in criminal law have voted to go on strike in a row over legal aid funding, with several days of court walkouts expected from next week. The planned action comes at a time of significant backlogs across crown … Continue reading Barristers to Strike Over Legal Aid Funding
Changes to the legal aid system in England and Wales are leading many in the legal profession to expect a rise in the number of people representing themselves in court. Restrictions have now been placed on the availability of legal aid available to people seeking a divorce or those involved in custody disputes. It is also being restricted in cases involving issues relating to immigration, debt and benefits. The changes, which came into force at the beginning of April, are an attempt by the UK Government to target Legal Aid financial resource for those who most need it. However it will lead those who cannot afford a lawyer to consider standing … Continue reading Legal Aid Changes and Representation
Amnesty International are lobbying for amendments to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill. It’s researchers have documented serious human rights infringements by UK companies overseas. The Bill proposed by the UK government Amnesty believes would make it almost impossible for victims of these abuses to seek justice in UK courts. One example was last year thousands of victims of illegal waste dumping in Ivory Coast successfully claimed compensation from British oil company Trafigura. Under the proposed legislation, such cases would be a thing of the past. To deny these victims justice is to fuel a cycle of … Continue reading The Rights Issue of Legal Aid Bill
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