Law centre free advice under threat
10:36am Thursday 24th May 2007
Comments (15) Have your say »
BURY Law Centre staff say they may no longer be able to give free advice if proposed changes to the legal aid system get the go-ahead.
They led legal workers from Stockport, Oldham, Trafford, Salford and Wythenshawe in a parade through Manchester city centre and handed leaflets to passers-by during a visit by Lord Falconer, head of the new Ministry of Justice.
The protest was part of a national campaign to raise awareness of plans currently going through parliament which would affect people seeking free legal advice.
Among the proposals are paying legal aid providers a fixed fee for each case, regardless of how long it takes to complete, and introducing competitive tendering for all legal aid contracts within two years.
But not-for-profit organisations and law firms believe that this will lead to many private practices refusing to do legal aid work and voluntary sector groups closing down because of a lack of money.
Kevin Miles, supervising solicitor at the Bank Street centre, said: "The issue being raised is that legal aid is a safety net already stretched very tight. The proposed changes, which are intended to cut costs, will one way or another make holes in it. The people who fall through are likely to include the most vulnerable, who need more help to use a service, establish their case and resolve their problem. In the future, we may not be able to give free advice because, under current projections, the organisation would no longer be sustainable from next year.
"We support the principle of effective use of public funds and of encouraging closer working links between providers, in the interest of the client. In practice, we are not clear how the proposals can actually achieve this in smaller metropolitan areas like Bury."
Law centre staff are urging people to contact their MP to give their views on the plans before the plans are given the go-ahead. Mr Miles said: "Our aim is to draw people's attention to the debate and point them to the sources of information on both sides so they can make up their own minds."
Your Say YourBury
Lloyd Sewell, South East England says...
4:17pm Thu 24 May 07
In any environment
Access to Justiceis regarded a the most fundamental principle with regards to democracy and human rights -
Yet in the UK, which is the (4th) richest country in the world - it is not possible to get any form of justice unless you are able to pay - or maybe a criminal.
My own past experience emphasized this point only too clearly - when a government business support agency to whom I had approached to help me become self-employed - stole my business and set it up for themselves -
The government department even tried to make me bankrupt in an effort
to have my case against the government department dismissed. I could not get legal aid and aqs a result - my case was dismissed - and I lost all that I possessed.
My local MP stated that "in the UK, you can only get justice -if you can afford to pay" The government is deliberately removing the common concept of access to justice -
Yet Lord Falconer is never tired of writing about "access to justice" - the vital question that needs to be asked of Lord Falconer is "Access to Justice for Whom?"
Presumably, in his various tours - he may wish to address the question of how he can "square his writings and speeches with his actions"
If you consider all the foreign peoples in the UK - who have no access to legal aid - unless they are criminals or illegal migrants.
I politely suggest that individuals, community organizations legal aid solicitors and the like should write to their MP and give them hell.
All MP's are aware that the proposals means an end to a fundamental right - yet they all sit in parliament with their eyes and ears firmly closed.
A very concerned person - who has tried to get justice and failed - because he could not get legal aid.
Lloyd Sewell, South East England says...
4:17pm Thu 24 May 07
In any environment
Access to Justiceis regarded a the most fundamental principle with regards to democracy and human rights -
Yet in the UK, which is the (4th) richest country in the world - it is not possible to get any form of justice unless you are able to pay - or maybe a criminal.
My own past experience emphasized this point only too clearly - when a government business support agency to whom I had approached to help me become self-employed - stole my business and set it up for themselves -
The government department even tried to make me bankrupt in an effort
to have my case against the government department dismissed. I could not get legal aid and aqs a result - my case was dismissed - and I lost all that I possessed.
My local MP stated that "in the UK, you can only get justice -if you can afford to pay" The government is deliberately removing the common concept of access to justice -
Yet Lord Falconer is never tired of writing about "access to justice" - the vital question that needs to be asked of Lord Falconer is "Access to Justice for Whom?"
Presumably, in his various tours - he may wish to address the question of how he can "square his writings and speeches with his actions"
If you consider all the foreign peoples in the UK - who have no access to legal aid - unless they are criminals or illegal migrants.
I politely suggest that individuals, community organizations legal aid solicitors and the like should write to their MP and give them hell.
All MP's are aware that the proposals means an end to a fundamental right - yet they all sit in parliament with their eyes and ears firmly closed.
A very concerned person - who has tried to get justice and failed - because he could not get legal aid.
Lloyd Sewell, South East England says...
4:17pm Thu 24 May 07
In any environment
Access to Justiceis regarded a the most fundamental principle with regards to democracy and human rights -
Yet in the UK, which is the (4th) richest country in the world - it is not possible to get any form of justice unless you are able to pay - or maybe a criminal.
My own past experience emphasized this point only too clearly - when a government business support agency to whom I had approached to help me become self-employed - stole my business and set it up for themselves -
The government department even tried to make me bankrupt in an effort
to have my case against the government department dismissed. I could not get legal aid and aqs a result - my case was dismissed - and I lost all that I possessed.
My local MP stated that "in the UK, you can only get justice -if you can afford to pay" The government is deliberately removing the common concept of access to justice -
Yet Lord Falconer is never tired of writing about "access to justice" - the vital question that needs to be asked of Lord Falconer is "Access to Justice for Whom?"
Presumably, in his various tours - he may wish to address the question of how he can "square his writings and speeches with his actions"
If you consider all the foreign peoples in the UK - who have no access to legal aid - unless they are criminals or illegal migrants.
I politely suggest that individuals, community organizations legal aid solicitors and the like should write to their MP and give them hell.
All MP's are aware that the proposals means an end to a fundamental right - yet they all sit in parliament with their eyes and ears firmly closed.
A very concerned person - who has tried to get justice and failed - because he could not get legal aid.
Lloyd Sewell, South East England says...
4:17pm Thu 24 May 07
In any environment
Access to Justiceis regarded a the most fundamental principle with regards to democracy and human rights -
Yet in the UK, which is the (4th) richest country in the world - it is not possible to get any form of justice unless you are able to pay - or maybe a criminal.
My own past experience emphasized this point only too clearly - when a government business support agency to whom I had approached to help me become self-employed - stole my business and set it up for themselves -
The government department even tried to make me bankrupt in an effort
to have my case against the government department dismissed. I could not get legal aid and aqs a result - my case was dismissed - and I lost all that I possessed.
My local MP stated that "in the UK, you can only get justice -if you can afford to pay" The government is deliberately removing the common concept of access to justice -
Yet Lord Falconer is never tired of writing about "access to justice" - the vital question that needs to be asked of Lord Falconer is "Access to Justice for Whom?"
Presumably, in his various tours - he may wish to address the question of how he can "square his writings and speeches with his actions"
If you consider all the foreign peoples in the UK - who have no access to legal aid - unless they are criminals or illegal migrants.
I politely suggest that individuals, community organizations legal aid solicitors and the like should write to their MP and give them hell.
All MP's are aware that the proposals means an end to a fundamental right - yet they all sit in parliament with their eyes and ears firmly closed.
A very concerned person - who has tried to get justice and failed - because he could not get legal aid.
Upset, says...
10:24pm Mon 28 May 07
I was on additional mat leave so had little or no income, I was fighting against my employers who had treated me appaulingly and taking them to an ET, the help and support I recieved was secound to none.
It will be such a shame if they have to stop doing what they do best!
Upset, says...
10:24pm Mon 28 May 07
I was on additional mat leave so had little or no income, I was fighting against my employers who had treated me appaulingly and taking them to an ET, the help and support I recieved was secound to none.
It will be such a shame if they have to stop doing what they do best!
Upset, says...
10:24pm Mon 28 May 07
I was on additional mat leave so had little or no income, I was fighting against my employers who had treated me appaulingly and taking them to an ET, the help and support I recieved was secound to none.
It will be such a shame if they have to stop doing what they do best!
Upset, says...
10:24pm Mon 28 May 07
I was on additional mat leave so had little or no income, I was fighting against my employers who had treated me appaulingly and taking them to an ET, the help and support I recieved was secound to none.
It will be such a shame if they have to stop doing what they do best!
Upset, says...
10:24pm Mon 28 May 07
I was on additional mat leave so had little or no income, I was fighting against my employers who had treated me appaulingly and taking them to an ET, the help and support I recieved was secound to none.
It will be such a shame if they have to stop doing what they do best!
John Steeples, Nottingham says...
8:42pm Tue 20 Nov 07
In the year of 1990 I borrowed my account as a personal loan of £3000 since then he has told me many times he has no money.
Just recently I found out that his has a homes in Bangkok and also England at this latest stage can i claim money and interest that he owes me
I've got some proof of the letter where he admits he owes me the money
Best regards
John Steeples 01159841899
John Steeples, Nottingham says...
8:42pm Tue 20 Nov 07
In the year of 1990 I borrowed my account as a personal loan of £3000 since then he has told me many times he has no money.
Just recently I found out that his has a homes in Bangkok and also England at this latest stage can i claim money and interest that he owes me
I've got some proof of the letter where he admits he owes me the money
Best regards
John Steeples 01159841899
John Steeples, Nottingham says...
8:42pm Tue 20 Nov 07
In the year of 1990 I borrowed my account as a personal loan of £3000 since then he has told me many times he has no money.
Just recently I found out that his has a homes in Bangkok and also England at this latest stage can i claim money and interest that he owes me
I've got some proof of the letter where he admits he owes me the money
Best regards
John Steeples 01159841899
John Steeples, Nottingham says...
8:42pm Tue 20 Nov 07
In the year of 1990 I borrowed my account as a personal loan of £3000 since then he has told me many times he has no money.
Just recently I found out that his has a homes in Bangkok and also England at this latest stage can i claim money and interest that he owes me
I've got some proof of the letter where he admits he owes me the money
Best regards
John Steeples 01159841899
John Steeples, Nottingham says...
8:42pm Tue 20 Nov 07
In the year of 1990 I borrowed my account as a personal loan of £3000 since then he has told me many times he has no money.
Just recently I found out that his has a homes in Bangkok and also England at this latest stage can i claim money and interest that he owes me
I've got some proof of the letter where he admits he owes me the money
Best regards
John Steeples 01159841899
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Lloyd Sewell, South East England says...
4:17pm Thu 24 May 07
In any environment is regarded a the most fundamental principle with regards to democracy and human rights -
Yet in the UK, which is the (4th) richest country in the world - it is not possible to get any form of justice unless you are able to pay - or maybe a criminal.
My own past experience emphasized this point only too clearly - when a government business support agency to whom I had approached to help me become self-employed - stole my business and set it up for themselves -
The government department even tried to make me bankrupt in an effort
to have my case against the government department dismissed. I could not get legal aid and aqs a result - my case was dismissed - and I lost all that I possessed.
My local MP stated that "in the UK, you can only get justice -if you can afford to pay" The government is deliberately removing the common concept of access to justice -
Yet Lord Falconer is never tired of writing about "access to justice" - the vital question that needs to be asked of Lord Falconer is "Access to Justice for Whom?"
Presumably, in his various tours - he may wish to address the question of how he can "square his writings and speeches with his actions"
If you consider all the foreign peoples in the UK - who have no access to legal aid - unless they are criminals or illegal migrants.
I politely suggest that individuals, community organizations legal aid solicitors and the like should write to their MP and give them hell.
All MP's are aware that the proposals means an end to a fundamental right - yet they all sit in parliament with their eyes and ears firmly closed.
A very concerned person - who has tried to get justice and failed - because he could not get legal aid.