Post-war Governments in Britain believed that universal access to justice was as important as access to education and healthcare. Today, the Coalition Government proposes to ensure that court doors in England and Wales are effectively locked to anyone other than criminal defendants and the super-rich.
Shami Chakrabarti, Director of Liberty, said:
“The Government says – we are all in this together- but how many MPs would choose to go to court without a lawyer if their partner denied them access to their child? Is it right that only criminal defendants and professional footballers should get legal advice? Politicians have spent years wagging their fingers at “fat cat lawyers” but today’s slap in the face goes to ordinary families, children and the disabled.”
Access – areas where access to justice will be denied include:
- The disabled will be disproportionately hit by the removal of welfare benefits advice – disabled clients represent 63% of legally aided clients in the welfare benefits system.
- Family law advice will be denied to parents in the vast majority of cases.
- Victims of crime left physically injured or emotionally scarred by violent attacks will no longer get legal help to make applications to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board.
- Legal advice provision for debt matters will be removed.
Eligibility – In the few areas where legal aid remains, only the very poorest will have access:
- Lowering of income eligibility thresholds will mean that those on very modest incomes will have to choose between defending their rights and serious financial hardship.
- New Capital thresholds will force some to mortgage or remortgage their homes to pay for advice – all those with property will be hit.
- Whereas those with the means will employ top legal teams, ordinary people will be forced to represent themselves.
False economies – financial savings will be short term only
- Our courts will be thrown into chaos by litigants in person with no legal knowledge. Judges will be turned into social workers as they are forced to deal with non-legal issues.
- Issues which could have been dealt with earlier with simple advice will be left to escalate. Short term savings will lead to long term cost burdens.
Contact: Liberty’s press office on 020 7378 3656 or 07973 831 128
Download copy of full Ministry of Justice Governmental Response by clicking this link .PDF
So, it is not just a rumor anymore, Legal Aid IS BEING REMOVED for those needing it for Welfare Benefits Advice 🙁
This is one of the most worrying ‘savings’ of all – it puts legal services beyond the reach of all but the richest individuals or large corporates – so no matter how unfairly you are sacked you cannot afford to go to industrial tribunals.