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MRN concerned over the legal aid reform
MRN is concerned over the proposed cuts to legal aid as the majority of immigration cases that are not asylum related are due to be taken out of scope. This is why we are backing the Sound Off For Justice Campaign. We made some videos with them explaining what the proposed changes would mean for migrants in the UK.
September 5, 2011 BY Jan Brulc
The Ministry of Justice has laid out plans to substantially cut Legal aid, the public funding that aims to ensure that everybody can have access to legal advice and representation. Under these proposals, the vast majority immigration cases that are not asylum related will be ineligible for Legal Aid funding, as will be other areas of law such as employment, housing and family law.
Here is a briefing paper (opens PDF) MRN prepared on the topic explaingin in detail what this could mean for migrants' access to justice.
If you are concerned about the proposed changes you might want to join the Sound Off For Justice campaign and lend your voice to stop the Government's proposed cuts to legal aid.
A large group of charities, trade unions, community groups, legal advice agencies and individuals have already added their name to the Sound Off For Justice campaign to tell the government that they oppose the proposed reforms to the legal aid system.
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We have been organising demonstrations in Sheffield to oppose the cuts to legal aid. We meet at 4.30pm every Friday outside the Town Hall.
Hi, The reduction in legal aid is about reducing the legal access for all to the justice system. It will reduce legal challenges against goverment policies. I can not understand why the people in this country can not see what is happening to our rights in the UK. I used to work for the legal aid board many years ago and always believed however nieve that evrybody should have a basic right to the legal system and justice. Of course that does not fit in with this coalitions thinking. If I lived anywhere near Shefield I would join you but I do not. We need more people or groups to voice our objections as my experience latley is that the government are not listening to any objections to their policies. best regards
Chris
spot on Chris. The cuts are across the board (family, employment, immigration, etc.) and are ideological. Protests have been staged before in London as well (i've attended the big 'Justice for All' one), but we need to keep it up... I think videos like these are also a good way to inform your networks of what the issue is. I know I'm sending this to my address book.
Yes, because the cuts are ideologically driven they contain the potential to unite everyone who can't afford to pay huge legal fees - regardless of where they were born and what their immigration status is.
So this is an issue which - for example - can unite people who need legal aid to fight unfair dismissal at work and for people pursuing their asylum application.The Sheffield demonstrations against legal aid cuts have (in a small way) reflected this.
DEAR SIR/MADAM
PLEASE NOTE THAT I BECAME AWARE OF YOUR ORGANSINATION THROUH AN ARTICLE BY MR FRANCIS DAVIS
MIGRANTS CRAVE A VOICE[ UK ]IMMIGARTION
MAGAZINE TABLET 3RD SEPT 2011 PAGE.NO.6 /7
Mr s.h.abbas,
thansk for your comment. Please have a look on this page http://soundoffforjustice.org/ about the Sound Off For Justice campaing and how you can get involved in the work on defending legal aid.
All the debates and public statements made by ministers and government have led me to believe that the week and poor in society are being targeted and the strange thing is it seems to me that only a minority of the people in this country seem to care about what is happening in this once great country of ours. Although the government have delayed making the proposed changes no doubt it will be implemented as soon as the government have another distraction for the general public. Evrey one in our country should have a basic right to justice no matter what side of the fence in law you are on. IT SHOULD BE A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT
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