16-year-old’s representation plight highlights pro bono dependency – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted November 8th, 2016 in appeals, care orders, children, legal representation, news, pro bono work by sally

‘The Court of Appeal has allowed a 16-year-old involved in care proceedings to instruct her own solicitor in a case highlighting the extent to which pro bono solicitors are now needed to resolve representation challenges.’

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 7th November 2016

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed…A Cautionary Tale – Hardwicke Chambers

Posted March 22nd, 2016 in contracts, duty of care, news, pro bono work by sally

‘It can be a common misconception that where services have been offered without charge then there will be no liability in the event that something goes wrong. This point was addressed in the recent case of Burgess and another v Lejonvarn [2016] EWHC 40 (TCC) and serves as a warning to all professionals offering free advice.’

Full story

Hardwicke Chambers, 4th March 2016

Source: www.hardwicke.co.uk

Jargon-buster: Do you know your PCF from BRF, and your BSB from your Bar Council – The Bar Council

Posted February 22nd, 2016 in barristers, fees, legal profession, licensing, lobbying, news, pro bono work by sally

‘Every year, throughout February and March, Bar Council members have to take part in the Authorisation to Practice process, which involves renewing your practising certificate, updating your professional information and paying your Practising Certificate Fee and Bar Representation Fee.’

Full story

The Bar Council, 19th February 2016

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Barristers who work for free could be breaching referral fee ban, Bar Council warns – Legal Futures

Posted January 7th, 2016 in barristers, fees, law firms, magistrates, news, pro bono work, professional conduct by sally

‘Criminal barristers who agree to work for law firms “for no fee” could be breaching the referral fee ban, the Bar Council has warned.’

Full story

Legal Futures, 7th January 2016

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Polling shows public lack confidence in justice system – The Bar Council

‘Polling results in the Citizens Advice report, Responsive justice: How citizens experience the justice system, show that voters lack confidence in our legal system and have concerns over access to justice.’

Full press release

The Bar Council, 24th November 2015

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Pro bono charity reports surge in volunteer lawyers – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted November 12th, 2015 in charities, law centres, news, pro bono work, reports, solicitors by sally

‘Qualified solicitors and barristers made up more than three-quarters of a surge in volunteer lawyers last year, according to pro bono charity LawWorks’ latest annual report.’

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 11th November 2015

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Demand for free help almost doubles since cuts to legal aid – The Guardian

‘The number of applications for legal assistance received by the Bar Pro Bono Unit has almost doubled over the past three years since widespread cuts to civil legal aid were introduced.’

Full story

The Guardian, 13th September 2015

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Lawyers’ levy? Michael Gove threatens to make rich law firms pay for legal aid – The Guardian

Posted June 24th, 2015 in legal aid, news, pro bono work by sally

‘Michael Gove has provoked a row with some of London’s leading lawyers, after he demanded that they contributed “much more” to ensure justice was available to all.’

Full story

The Guardian, 23rd June 2015

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

What does a one nation justice policy look like? – Speech by Michael Gove

Posted June 23rd, 2015 in civil justice, criminal justice, pro bono work, rule of law, speeches by tracey

‘Speech given at the Legatum Institute.’

Full speech

Ministry of Justice, 23rd June 2015

Source: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice

Unlocking the Funds for Justice – Pro Bono Costs – Family Law Week

Posted March 19th, 2015 in costs, legal aid, litigants in person, news, pro bono work by sally

‘Cyrus Larizadeh, barrister of 4 Paper Buildings and Senate House Chambers, explains the costs issues which arise where an advocate, acting pro bono, represents a successful party in care and/or placement proceedings.’

Full story

Family Law Week, 16th March 2015

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk

Pro bono – what lies ahead in 2015? – The Future of Law

Posted January 8th, 2015 in law centres, law firms, legal aid, news, pro bono work by sally

‘2015 looks set to be a critical year for the pro bono movement and its uneasy relationship with legal aid. The well-worn pro bono mantra – that pro bono is “an adjunct to and not a replacement for legal aid” – has been challenged in recent years. The Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO 2012) effectively scrapped public funding for much of social welfare law advice in April 2013 and the legal profession is finally beginning to rethink the formula. Legal aid lawyers are rightly sceptical about ministers trying to co-opt pro bono – but LASPO 2012 is a game-changer.’

Full story

The Future of Law, 7th January 2015

Source: http://blogs.lexisnexis.co.uk

Pupils’ lawyers challenge lower threshold for school exclusions – The Guardian

‘Many more children could be expelled from school under new guidance which comes into force this week, according to lawyers who represent pupils at appeal panels.’

Full story

The Guardian, 6th January 2015

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Lawyers and their Regulators: What Next? – Nicholas Lavender QC, Chairman of the Bar Council

Lawyers and their Regulators: What Next? (PDF)

Nicholas Lavender QC, Chairman of the Bar Council

The Bar Council, 24th November 2014

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Speech to the Bar Conference – Nicholas Lavender QC, Chairman of the Bar Council

Speech to the Bar Conference (PDF)

Nicholas Lavender QC, Chairman of the Bar Council

The Bar Council, 8th November 2014

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

The Rule of Law and the Future of the Sector – Attorney General’s Office

‘Attorney General speech to London Law Expos on the UK’s long commitment to the Rule of Law.’

Full story

Attorney General’s Office, 14th October 2014

Source: www.gov.uk/ago

Pro bono costs orders post-LASPO – Legal Voice

Posted October 2nd, 2014 in costs, news, pro bono work by tracey

‘As the legal profession continues to adjust to the austerity-driven reality of life after LASPO, there has been considerable discussion of how to ensure effective access to justice for the people who fall through the ever-widening holes in the safety net of legal aid.’

Full story

Legal Voice, 1st October 2014

Source: www.legalvoice.org.uk

A proud profession – The Bar Council

“Addressing lazy journalism; recognising what really motivates members of the Bar; looking at the pro bono work carried out on all fronts by so many; and the need for wider understanding of this contribution by all, especially the Government.”

Full story (PDF)

The Bar Council, October 2013

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

The Bar in society: A vital force for good – Speech by Maura McGowan QC, Chairman of the Bar

The Bar in society: A vital force for good (PDF)

Speech by Maura McGowan QC, Chairman of the Bar

Annual Bar Conference, 2nd November 2013

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Legal Education Foundation launches with grants to promote pro bono, education and social mobility – Legal Futures

Posted July 11th, 2013 in charities, equality, legal education, news, pro bono work by sally

“The charity created following the sale of the College of Law last year has today announced its first grants, with access to justice, the profession and education the focus.”

Full story

Legal Futures, 10th July 2013

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Do your bit for legal fairness – The Lawyer

Posted April 9th, 2013 in costs, law centres, legal aid, news, pro bono work by sally

“As legal aid declines, there are a number of different ways lawyers can help to fill the gap.”

Full story

The Lawyer, 8th April 2013

Source: www.thelawyer.com