Legal coalition calls for Government action

In a letter published today in The Guardian, a coalition of some of the most prominent figures in the legal world have called on the government for a full review into the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act of 2013.

The letter states that the group believe that the legal aid reforms introduced in this act have severely disadvantaged the ability of vulnerable people to access justice and legal aid.

They quote the report of the justice select committee, which stated that the cuts have had a negative effect on access to justice for those most in need of legal aid.

As such, they claim, the number of people who have no option but to represent themselves in court has risen drastically, something they claim is an unfair system which favours the wealthy.

Whilst the government has repeatedly said that it is going to carry out a review assessing the impact of the reform, the group have stated that it is not happening fast enough and they call on ministers to address the issue at the earliest given opportunity.

They conclude with the statement that “We believe it is vital for government to ensure nobody is denied access to justice based on their ability to pay.”

The full list of signatories as found on the letter, is as follows:

Jo Edwards National chair, Resolution
Imelda Redmond Chief executive, 4Children
Paul Seddon Chair of Legal Aid Group, Association of Cost Lawyers
Martha Cover and Debbie Singleton Co-chairs, Association of Lawyers for Children
Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC Chair, The Bar Council
Phillip Marshall QC Chair, Family Law Bar Association
Fiona Weir Chief executive, Gingerbread
Simon Marciniak Chair, Housing Lawyers Practitioners Association
Julie Bishop Director, Law Centres Federation
Jonathan Smithers President, The Law Society
Steve Hynes Director, Legal Action Group
Jenny Beck Co-chair, Legal Aid Practitioners Group
Nicola Mackintosh QC Co-chair, Legal Aid Practitioners Group
Nick Lewis Chair, Mental Health Lawyers Association
Elizabeth Coe Chief executive, National Association of Child Contact Centres
Bob Greig Founder, OnlyDads
Rebecca Giraud Director, OnlyMums
Chris Sherwood CEO, Relate
Emma Scott Director, Rights Of Women
Campbell Robb Chief executive, Shelter
Rachel Francis Co-chair, Young Legal Aid Lawyers
Oliver Carter Co-Chair, Young Legal Aid Lawyers

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