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Birthday wishes

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07 February 2019 / Steve Hynes
Issue: 7827 / Categories: Opinion , Legal aid focus
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Steve Hynes wants the 70th anniversary of legal aid to mark a sea-change in public funding

In July last year, the government celebrated the 70th anniversary of the founding of the NHS with a reception in Downing Street. The prime minister, in her speech at the event, described the NHS as ‘a great British achievement of which we can all be proud.’ Special medals were awarded to staff with over 40 years of service.

Sorry to disappoint the many hardworking legal aid lawyers out there, but I would not hold your collective breath if you are expecting a similar event to mark legal aid’s 70th birthday this year. Awards from the prime minister for long service are also something you probably cannot count on. Nevertheless, while the government doesn’t seem likely to want to celebrate this occasion, the Legal Action Group (LAG) will be.

Falling far

It was on 30 July 1949 the Legal Aid and Advice Act 1949 received royal assent. The Act introduced the civil legal aid scheme the following year. Until this

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