header-logo header-logo

Cuts that hurt

20 October 2016 / Dr Jon Robins
Issue: 7719 / Categories: Opinion , Legal aid focus , Legal services
printer mail-detail
nlj_7719_robins

Amnesty International’s report shines an unforgiving light on the impact of LASPO, says Jon Robins​

“If Theresa May is really determined to deliver a country that works for all then there needs to be a justice system for everyone, not just those who can afford it,” said Alice Wyss of Amnesty International this week. According to the organisation, the April 2013 legal aid cuts have “decimated access to justice” and were, in human rights terms, “a retrogressive measure”.

Wyss was calling directly on the PM to immediately review the legal aid cuts. She was also quoting from Theresa May’s conference speech where she easily won over the party faithful with an attack on “activist left-wing human rights lawyers” and outlined plans to curb the “industry of vexatious allegations” against our troops by opting out of the European convention.

The powerful report from an international group more associated with highlighting abuses in far-flung corners of the world less familiar with the rule of law than the UK is well-timed—if unlikely to improve relations

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Fox & Partners—Nikki Edwards

Fox & Partners—Nikki Edwards

Employment boutique strengthens litigation bench with partner hire

Fladgate—Milan Kapadia

Fladgate—Milan Kapadia

Partner appointed to dispute resolution team

Carey Olsen—Louise Stothard

Carey Olsen—Louise Stothard

Employment law offering in Guernsey expands with new hire

NEWS
Law students and graduates can now apply to qualify as solicitors and barristers with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)
Conveyancing lawyers have enjoyed a rapid win after campaigning against UK Finance’s decision to charge for access to the Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has launched a recruitment drive for talented early career and more senior barristers and solicitors
Regulators differed in the clarity and consistency of their post-Mazur advice and guidance, according to an interim report by the Legal Services Board (LSB)
The dangers of uncritical artificial intelligence (AI) use in legal practice are no longer hypothetical. In this week's NLJ, Dr Charanjit Singh of Holborn Chambers examines cases where lawyers relied on ‘hallucinated’ citations — entirely fictitious authorities generated by AI tools
back-to-top-scroll