header-logo header-logo

27 July 2017 / Dr Jon Robins
Issue: 7756 / Categories: Opinion , Legal aid focus
printer mail-detail

Law centre support post Grenfell: too little, too late?

nlj_7756_robins

The profession’s spontaneous response to Grenfell should be applauded, but demonstrates the dire state of the Law Centres Network, says Jon Robins

Three years ago North Kensington Law Centre moved from its original home at the top end of fashionable Portobello Road to the Baseline Business Centre, formerly the car park underneath the Lancaster West estate and just a few feet from Grenfell Tower.

In the last few weeks, its small team of lawyers, comprising the equivalent of seven full-time posts, plus a small army of volunteers has advised 150 families affected by the fire, a third of that number were formerly residents of the 24-storey tower block.

Much has been said about how the tragedy has revealed the shocking inequality of living conditions of residents in one of the most affluent parts of our capital. It also has much to say about our failing system of publicly funded legal advice. As I pointed out in NLJ earlier this month the experience of the Grenfell tenants has prompted

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

Withers—Sophie Barrett-Brown

Withers—Sophie Barrett-Brown

Withers drives further growth in its UK immigration team with new partner Sophie Barrett-Brown

Venus Legal—Esther Amoako

Venus Legal—Esther Amoako

Venus Legal invests in next generation of legal talent as specialist litigation practice grows

Fisher Phillips—Catrina Smith

Fisher Phillips—Catrina Smith

Fisher Phillips continues momentum in London with arrival of Catrina Smith

NEWS
Restrictions on workplace non-disclosure agreements could make settlements slower, more complex and more expensive when reforms expected in 2027 take effect
Private prosecutors face closer scrutiny under Crown Prosecution Service guidance designed to strengthen accountability and consistency when intervention is requested
Foreign states cannot necessarily claim immunity for cyber operations launched abroad against computers in Britain, following a divided Supreme Court ruling
Defendants who make unsupported complaints about their lawyers risk losing legal aid while confiscation proceedings continue without representation
Lawyers advising Russian clients face different sanctions restrictions across the UK, EU and US, despite their shared objective of increasing pressure on Russia
back-to-top-scroll