Solicitor warns legal aid cuts ‘may delay’ Welsh courts – BBC News
“A leading solicitor says cuts to the legal aid budget being debated in Parliament could ‘clog up’ the court system in Wales.”
BBC News, 4th July 2011
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Category: budgets
Government to close squatters’ legal aid loophole – Ministry of Justice
“Squatters will no longer get legal aid to fight home owners trying to evict them from their properties, under proposals set out in the Sentencing, Legal Aid and Punishment of Offenders Bill which has it’s second reading in the House of Commons today.”
Ministry of Justice, 29th June 2011
Source: www.justice.gov.uk
Mounting concerns over legal aid cuts – BBC News
“The government’s plans to cut legal aid in England and Wales return to Parliament later as opposition mounts from lawyers and campaigners.”
BBC News, 29th June 2011
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Kenneth Clarke faces twin-track assault on jail reform plans – The Guardian
“The justice secretary, Kenneth Clarke, faces another embarrassing U-turn over his controversial sentencing reforms on Wednesday as the Labour frontbench combines with rightwing Tory MPs to further attack his prison plans.”
The Guardian, 28th June 2011
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Legal aid reform could end right to a free solicitor – The Guardian
“A ‘cornerstone’ of the legal system, the universal right to a solicitor upon arrest, could be jettisoned in favour of means-testing under controversial plans drawn up by the Ministry of Justice.”
The Guardian, 25th June 2011
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Bar Council: Access to Justice will be Systematically Deprived by Legal Aid Proposals – The Bar Council
“The Bar Council, which represents barristers in England and Wales, has today warned that access to justice will be systematically deprived as the Government published the response to its legal aid consultation.”
The Bar Council, 21st June 2011
Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk
Legal aid cuts: who will be hit hardest? – The Guardian
“Kenneth Clarke’s justice bill shows cuts to legal aid. Now the Legal Action Group has worked out the consequences of these cuts by region.”
Full story
The Guardian, 21st June 2011
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Related link: Reform of Legal Aid in England and Wales: the Government Response, Cm 8072 (PDF)
Kenneth Clarke’s legal aid cuts deemed a ‘slap in the face’ for ordinary families – The Guardian
“Liberty director says justice secretary’s £350m budget cut leaves only footballers and criminal defendants able to get legal advice.”
The Guardian, 21st June 2011
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Legal challenge over court closures rejected – The Guardian
“Legal challenges launched to save magistrates courts from closure following a decision last year by the lord chancellor have been rejected by the high court.”
The Guardian, 16th June 2011
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Magistrates resign as courts close – Law Society’s Gazette
“Resignations from the magistracy have increased by 18% since the announcement of court closures, according to government figures.”
Law Society’s Gazette, 15th June 2011
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
Prison sentencing reform plans hit by fresh delays – The Guardian
“Theresa May confirms second postponement to publication of sentencing and legal aid bill amid row over plans to reduce jail terms for offenders who submit early guilty pleas.”
The Guardian, 8th June 2011
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Kenneth Clarke may ditch ‘soft justice’ reforms – Daily Telegraph
“The Prime Minister has sent Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke back to the drawing board over sentencing reforms in a bid to reimpose the Tories’ law and order standing.”
Daily Telegraph, 8th June 2011
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Protesters hold day of action against legal aid cuts – The Guardian
“Opponents fear impact on women trying to leave violent partners.”
The Guardian, 3rd June 2011
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Legal aid faces threat of further cuts following rape backlash – Law Society’s Gazette
“The government is considering fresh legal aid cuts, the Gazette has learned, because Kenneth Clarke’s politically maladroit remarks about rape sentencing have jeopardised its bid to save money by cutting the prison population.”
Law Society’s Gazette, 27th May 2011
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
Conservatives risking reputation on law and order, say ministers – The Guardian
“Senior Tories have raised concerns that the party is risking its reputation for being strong on law and order as the police unveiled plans for a summer campaign of protest against coalition cuts.”
The Guardian, 21st May 2011
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
High Court challenge to library closures in the West – BBC News
“Two county councils which want to close libraries in the west of England are facing a judicial review.”
BBC News, 3rd May 2011
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Councils mount legal challenge over academies cuts – BBC News
“A group of English local authorities are mounting a legal challenge against government budget cuts tied to its academies expansion programme.”
Full story
BBC News, 3rd May 2011
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Legal aid cuts will harm children, says champion of justice for the poor – The Guardian
“Tireless Pauline McIntyre, who works in one of the UK’s most deprived areas, says family law is unfairly seen as a soft target.”
The Guardian, 18th April 2011
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
