Post by sharnden on Feb 25, 2011 9:28:03 GMT 1
Attached link to Judges Council response to legal aid consultation -
www.judiciary.gov.uk/Resources/JCO/Documents/Consultations/response-judges-council-legal-aid-reform-consultation.pdf
Expresses its ‘numerous concerns’ including that -
‘the proposals would lead to a huge increase in the incidence of unrepresented litigants, with serious implications for the quality of justice and for the administration of the justice system in terms of additional costs and delays – at a time when courts are having to cope in any event with closures, budgetary cut-backs and reductions in staff numbers.’ and
‘the proposed cut-backs in the availability of Legal Help in civil and family law would undermine the work and even the viability of community advice agencies, to the particular prejudice of the disadvantaged for whom such agencies represent a trusted and invaluable doorway to possible legal solutions to their problems. The proposed advice service based on the current Community Legal Advice helpline would not be a satisfactory substitute.’
www.judiciary.gov.uk/Resources/JCO/Documents/Consultations/response-judges-council-legal-aid-reform-consultation.pdf
Expresses its ‘numerous concerns’ including that -
‘the proposals would lead to a huge increase in the incidence of unrepresented litigants, with serious implications for the quality of justice and for the administration of the justice system in terms of additional costs and delays – at a time when courts are having to cope in any event with closures, budgetary cut-backs and reductions in staff numbers.’ and
‘the proposed cut-backs in the availability of Legal Help in civil and family law would undermine the work and even the viability of community advice agencies, to the particular prejudice of the disadvantaged for whom such agencies represent a trusted and invaluable doorway to possible legal solutions to their problems. The proposed advice service based on the current Community Legal Advice helpline would not be a satisfactory substitute.’