A Campaign Journey

[nickd]

Here's a run down on the campaign we've embarked upon upon in the South Hams - a quiet part of South Devon which has it's fair share of problems just like the rest of the country.

This is how the campaign got off the ground and where we've come on our 'journey'. We'll be posting on here to tell you how the rest of it goes. This is an area where others can join in with accounts of their own campaigns - there must be many and it would be good to hear more about them.

I've thrown in a few tips which I've picked up along the way.

Before embarking on any campaign I'd encourage anyone to ask themselves a simple question; - why get involved?

Here's why I wholeheartedly support the campaign against the most damaging legal aid reforms ever known. These reforms will, if they are passed, totally eradicate social justice for people who have a social welfare law problem; - we all know it's just morally wrong....

When I joined the CAB, I remember how my job description said about social policy and campaigning. I never realized how much a part of my work 'campaigning' would at times like this entail. In many ways, it's a job in its own right; - except the pressures of your work commitment means a lot of these additional 'duties' have to be done in your own time. Although I'm a paid member of staff and have been for many years, I'd still class much of what I do as being done on a volunteer base as well; - I daren't stop and add up all the real hours we work, once you start doing that; - you're probably questioning your commitment. One thing's for certain; - much of this is done for 'the love of the job'.

I'm a firm believer in legal aid because I see the good it does. It's about helping all manner of different people. A real mixture; - no two people are ever the same. In the course of seeing literally thousands of clients with all manner of different legal problems ranging from the relatively straightforward to the immensely complicated; - by and large, you get a kick out of seeing people go away with a smile. It's in stark contrast to how they are when they first come in. It's all about finding legal solutions for people with a legal problem and that's what's I do - day in, day out. It's been a mixture of all things, but of one thing I'm certain, the work we do is as specialist as say a fully trained social worker, there's no doubt in my mind that in no way is this work in any way 'generalist'.

So when any government dares come along and threatens to take all of this away, I see it on a par with waving a red flag to a bull. And that's why I joined this campaign last October.

My awakening to all that's happening with this was when I joined Ilegal. I felt compelled to have my say, it's an excellent forum which allow you to do so freely and without fear over what people think. It's forums like this which are a real fountain of knowledge and information. If there's anything you want to know about legal aid - make Ilegal your first port of call. Before long I was asked to take up a role as a staff member on Mylegal; a role I willingly embraced. It's no good harping on about all of this if you're not prepared to do your bit. It's incredibly enlightening too, you get to learn a lot from others, it often helps clarify your line of thought.

My top tip to any one campaigning is join a forum and contribute to it by being an active member or participant. It's somewhere you can call your 'base'.

It's also very important to be able to make sense of what you're actually campaigning for......

This started with the Ministry of Justice consultation round opening last October. I looked at all of it and couldn't believe the complexity of the issues at stake. This was no time to be going it alone and that's where this and the Ilegal forums have been an absolute saviour. It was of immense benefit to be able to learn more and to pitch views against others. It helped by being able to share views openly and frankly with people who have the same passion I guess. Alongside the passion, there's real knowledge. If you're uncertain you ask and get an answer, usually within a few hours. My knowledge base on this campaign has improved immensely by learning from others. This has helped a great deal as I've been able to explain things to my own team with a much clearer understanding. It's important to learn from the right sources, this is no time for listening to bar-room lawyers who put their own twist on things.

Embarking on the journey and put words & thoughts into action.

This is what our campaign has entailed so far....

The first part was to get in contact with our local constituency MP.

Our Tory MP Sarah Wollaston has always shown herself to be very approachable and thankfully we'd already forged a good rapport. They won't always agree with what you say (and vice versa!) but on Sarah's part, she's been more than willing to listen.

The first major event in our journey was the 300 mile round trip to the House of Commons to show our commitment to the Justice for All launch event on the 12th January spearheaded by Yvonne Fovargue.

I didn't go alone, I went with our manager Emma and session supervisor; this was a team effort and that's how it should be. It was good to see some real faces and to meet with people who all fight for the same thing. Between us we lined up four MP's in a lobbying exercise - believe me it's hard work. We went armed with a briefing paper. It was good that these MP's could see we were serious and to quote one of them ' he could see we knew what we were talking about'. That was heartening.

None the less you could see the difference between how politician's and the rest of us think. To be fair we've got different agendas and there has to be respect for that; - whatever your own belief.

Attract some publicity

In our case I wrote an article for the New Statesman magazine.

It was about a seriously disabled client called Tom who we're helping with a battle in the Upper Tribunal. It was immensely satisfying to see the article 'Tales from the Front-line' on sale in the supermarkets and places like WH Smith. It's surprising how many times I've seen the article referred to on the internet. This is all about spreading the word. It didn't take long as the editing team helps you - but it's up to you to phone and email them to get a story 'up and running'. It was very satisfying to see it linked to the Justice for All website; - it's still there.

Started on drafting the consultation responses

This arduous task was made much easier with Ilegal being there to tap into, as well as having guidance from Justice for All who've issued circulars on how to approach your MP. It's also immensely important to have the Justice for All banner attached to this as it promotes it as a national campaign. We need to show we're a united front and we are.

It was and still is vitally important to collect evidence. People like Tom form a good basis for a case study; - they highlight what this is all about; - people - not people with different agendas. Legal aid is about the rights of an individual - let's not forget this. Tom is too autistic to say a word - it's his mum who came to us.

It was and still is key to watch, listen, learn and observe as to how the process of reform moves ahead.

Again Ilegal has been invaluable, it's where I've been able to pick up all the key events and debates. The team members and pro-active posters do a fantastic job in researching all of this, if a debate is on in the House of Commons in the afternoon, you can almost guarantee it'll be on these forums by early evening. These dedicated people do this all in their own time and we all owe them an immense amount of gratitude. The MP Yvonne Fovargue has been a real stalwart in securing debates, as have many of her working colleagues. It's especially good when she's been able to secure cross- party involvement, this is one area of reform which should reflect common sense rather than politcal choice.

Personally, I'm glad I held off from submitting our response until the 11th hour because it meant that I was able to respond on the basis of the latest argument. Putting it together meant much midnight oil being spent; - campaigning is exhausting.

That said; pressing the 'send' button was in no way the end of this campaign. Oh no, the battle goes on.

Do something to make your mark.

No, it's not about promoting your own namesake. It's about upping the campaign. People however fix on names associated with campaigns and on this basis you've got to be a bit bold and put your name down for events. You've then got to be prepared to make sure you have your say.

And so it was that I found myself in the House of Commons on the 16th March speaking to a cross party panel in a packed committee room. I made sure I had my say, that's why I'd gone all the way there and I'm glad I did. It was an excellent meeting with many good points being made, it felt good to be amongst people who all shared the same common purpose; - to ensure adequate funding is maintained towards helping those requiring social welfare law advice by being able to access advice from paid professionals. It was also good to hear from clients who were brave enough to go and talk of their own experiences - that takes nerves and I applaud them for their sterling efforts - they are a further reminder of what this is all about.

Here's how it went.....
Nick Dilworth, CAB South Hams:



The key points which I tried to put over were...

(1) How Legal Aid should remain subject to statutory sourced funding - rather than left to the mercy of non-statutory localised funding.

(2) That our outcome recording was a lot more postive than spoken about in Parliament so far.

(3) In CAB and law centres we do specialist legal work - not basic advice.

(4) That in Welfare benefits there is an effect upon the liberty of an individual as what happens in a social security tribunal can have an effect on the the outcome of a criminal prosecution.

(5) To remove welfare benefits from the scope of the legal aid scheme is ludicrous.

On the following day at another event, I was pleasantly surprised to learn I'd been picked to ask the Minister for Legal Aid Jonathon Djanogly a question. Face to face and no more than a few metres away in a packed meeting; - I asked him if his reforms would effectively bring about end of all that I hold dear - the Community Legal Service. If I'm honest I felt elated at putting myself up for it amongst far more prominent speakers. It was heartening to see how many could see the potential for destruction of a service that in my view works very well. I've seen enough people face to face to know Mr Djanogly was evading the answer. The applause to Lord Bach's response told me the point had been made. I contemplated it all on another late night home on the train.

The more you do, the more people take you seriously

Okay I like arguing a point and winning appeals, that's partly why I do this job - getting the right and just result. Some people see it as self - promotion, I disagree. This campaign is no different to how I view a case for my client, if there's merit and it's a good case - I'm out to win it. But campaigns mean you'll face challenge outside of a jurisdictionally confined setting. It means you've got to be able to argue your point with people who are far less likely to understand where you're coming from;- just don't think people understand what you're talking about. To some people legal aid is about lawyers earning vast fortunes, to others it's all about helping people who they think should be helping themselves. We know what it's really all about and it's neither. But you do need to stick your name on bold statements and stick with them. There's no room for making a point without saying where it's from. An anonymous blog poster rarely makes a point; a person who only views makes no point at all. So I say have your say and don't be afraid of being bold and putting your name to it. It does help with getting more serious recognition.

Spread the word

Make sure for each action - you do something to promote it. On a forum, on twitter, by word of mouth, by email, or by letter. Use all of the campaign tools made available by Justice for All or Sound Of For Justice or both and share what you're doing with Ilegal and promote it on Mylegal. There's a wealth of information on here to help you make your point. Don't just look at the numbers of views on a forum and think low numbers mean there's no interest. There's a multiplying effect and different internet sites link up with others. I'm amazed at how quickly the Twitter effect can spread the word. You might put a post on and see it's got only a few views - a mention on Twitter will boost it no end. You'd also be surprised at how many 'hits' the same post gets on another completely different site if someone's put a link to it. In researching material, it never ceases to amaze me how many come back to Ilegal/Mylegal. A lot of people follow it in an anonymous guise.

Keep on campaigning

This battle is far from over; - Don't stop until it's over. It's relentless, exhausting and draining at times, some may say even obsessional. But that's how battles get won. It means balancing it with all that's going on with your own busy workload and yes with your own lives too. So apportion your time, not easy I know. If you don't devote the time, the cause is lost. We all do this job because we believe in the service we offer, without this campaign and all those who contribute to it there will be no service. So don't feel bad about devoting time and if necessary put some of your client workload to one side - not forgotten or neglected I hasten to add - if you don't, the reality is there will be no clients for you to help - the stark reality is you'll be out of a job and your organisation will be without a major chunk of its funding;- unable to deliver the service we can under legal aid.

So keep on with all of the things I've outlined and more.

Plan your next event!

The next key event is Mr Djanogly's announcement. Expect this any time soon, don't be caught out by news of a delayed response. Justice for All have set a 'Day for Action' on the 3rd June. Think of something, we'll be putting up ideas on here. Let's join this up and make it a day when plenty is said of the Justice for All campaigns. Ask them to allow you to use their logo, they're very helpful and want to see things happen. But it's all you people out there who makes these things happen, it wont get done for you. And make sure Ilegal and Mylegal get a mention - it's only fair to all of us who put the effort into all of this.

On our part in the South Hams we're arranging an event where all providers in Devon who practise in the areas of Debt/Benefits/Housing/Family & Employment will come together. We're inviting all MP's to attend under the 'Chatham House' rules which places restriction on what can be reported; - encouraging a better debate.

The event won't be the end of it, like I say we're on this until the battle's over and we've only one goal in sight!.

Get some ideas from our campaign newsletter, it's what we've circulated to our own MPs to promote what we're doing to stop these damaging reforms:

downloads.ilegal.org.uk/legal_aid_reform_campaign_newsletter_v3.pdf

If you want a Microsoft Word version so you can copy bits to use in anything you are creating yourself, then just let me know

From now on I'll be posting on here as to how the rest of our journey goes. If anyone has a campaign of thier own then please tell us about it on here and share your experiences. Like I say we can all learn from one another and an open forum is the best place to do so.

[nickd]

Many thanks to Gail of Justice for All to linking this post to the Justice for All site. Read more about Justice for All's ideas for the day of action on Friday 3rd June, where you can find out about other campaign initiatives and how to get a campaign kit.

Check out the Justice for All link...

www.justice-for-all.org.uk/News/Action-heroes-for-justice-gear-up-for-3-June

And keep checking on here as we tell you more of how our plans to up the campaign in Devon are going. We're going to be launching a good few more ideas on Mylegal too.

Just watch this space!

But remember this is a campaign where as many people as possible are invited to contribute, so please share your ideas on here and we'll make sure Justice for All get to know about them.

[nickd]

Read about how we can help you argue your point by using effective plain language, straight talking campaign papers, starting with Patrick Torsney's excellent paper 'Shush', read it and more.....

mylegal.org.uk/index.cgi?action=display&board=frontline&thread=296&page=1

Remember a lot of the people you are trying to convince don't understand all the legal jargon, impact assessments and complicated argument, so let's just tell it how it is - it's wrong - let's tell people why!!

[nickd]

Here's what Carita of Yorkshire's Legal Aid Young Lawyer's is up to in planning their campaign. It's an excellent idea to have a planning event to make the Justice For All 'Day of Action' an effective day - let's use the 3rd June to best effect!!

Hi Yorkshire people

Next Yorkshire meeting of Young Legal Aid Lawyers is:

Date: Thursday 19th May 2011
Time: 18.00
Venue: Howells, Bridge Street, Sheffield
www.howellsllp.com/finding-the-offices

Come to find out how you can get involved in stuff locally. This meeting we will be talking about what we can do for the day of action proposed by Justice 4 all on 3rd June - and more!

If you have any questions, please contact Carita at [e-mail].

Follow us @ylalawyers on Twitter
Or find us at www.facebook.com/YLALYorkshire
www.younglegalaidlawyers.org/


Read more: ilegal.org.uk/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=2823&page=1#ixzz1LtOsHyxJ

GOOD WORK IN YORKSHIRE BY THE YOUNG LEGAL AID LAWYER'S - NOW WHAT ABOUT HEARING FROM SOME MORE OF YOU??

[nickd]

Anyway, so how's the Devon campaign going? Read on...

Well I said it's hard work and I wasn't wrong! We've set a date for our round table event with the County MP's for the 17th June in Exeter. First problem is having sent out the invites some of the MP's have come back to us and asked us if we could re-arrange the date to coincide with when they can attend. It's only to be expected, MP's are busy people and the chances of getting the date right was always going to be problematic. Persevere, persevere, persevere - I say to myself!!

I went to see our local MP last Friday and had a really good discussion with her. She's exceptionally willing to give the time to listen to our concerns and I have to say she's a rare breed of politician; - she actually listens.

The key to success with getting a good rapport going with your MP is by forging a close working relationship. At the end of the day a lot of what they do isn't that different to what we do. I try and keep her up to date by sending information updates (such as our response to the DLA Reforms and our campaign newsletter) by email and arranging fairly regular meetings to talk about what we're finding on the front-line. People are people and if you strike up up good mutual respect; - they're far more likely to hear where your coming from and vice versa. Talking with your MP becomes easier when you are both on the same level talking over actual cases which you're both dealing with.

A good example was over the general advice myth. Ken Clarke said Welfare benefits advice is just ' basic mechanical advice'. I took along to our MP (with client's consent) three lever arch files of an Upper Tribunal case we're dealing with and she said to me...

'Oh, what can I do for you then Nick?'

My reply ' Er, Tell Ken Clarke' this isn't basic mechanical advice?'

To which she promptly got her camera out and said she'd do better than tell him, she'd take a picture and show him! - it was good thinking and a very effective way of getting the message over. I was impressed. She also told me that she really would like to come to our Devon event; - but could we set another date?

We'll probably still go with the 17th June and use it (like Carita - above- suggests) to have a planning meeting with providers going through the message we need to give. We'll have to work closely with the MP's secretaries on setting up a date when EVERYONE can attend; - like I say persevere and don't be put off if it doesn't all fall into place at the first attempt - it rarely does.

We'll be giving ten minute presentations per provider and the meeting will be conducted under the Chatham House rules (see next post). Providers should hone their argument and be prepared for some questions, so a pre-meeting is a good chance to run your presentations by others and make sure your making it interesting.

We're going to be using power-point and brief crib sheets; followed by a Q & A session with the MP's.

I've also lined up two clients - you'll need to be thinking about meeting their expenses and helping any clients get to your meeting, don't forget the refreshments and a few light bites too!

We're also doing something for the 3rd June; - it'll be a community event in our areas main town. We'll invite along other organisations like Rethink, Community Mental Health Teams, Family organisations, other charities, the public and perhaps even the Mayor! It's also a good time to see if any volunteers - perhaps from the general bureau would like to get involved too. It's key to get some publicity. We did an event at the Local County Court a few years back and got over 200 people through the door!

You can make it happen, just do it!

[nickd]

Here's the 'Chatham House Rules' explained - this is important folks!

"When a meeting, or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule, participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed."

EXPLANATION of the Rule

The world-famous Chatham House Rule may be invoked at meetings to encourage openness and the sharing of information.

The Rule originated at Chatham House with the aim of providing anonymity to speakers and to encourage openness and the sharing of information. It is now used throughout the world as an aid to free and open discussion. Meetings do not have to take place at Chatham House, or be organized by Chatham House, to be held under the Rule.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Q. What are the benefits of using the Rule?
A. The Rule allows people to speak openly and to express views that they may not otherwise express if they knew their comments would be shared publicly. By encouraging free expression without attribution ideas are likely to be shared and tested more readily.

Q. Can speakers at a meeting be named publicly?
A. Yes, although it is important to abide by the spirit of the Rule and to ensure that this will not cause what is said at the meeting to be attributed to the speaker at a later date.

For example, a speaker can be named in advance of an event for publicity purposes and a summary of the discussion can be circulated afterwards. However, the summary should contain nothing that identifies, either explicitly or implicitly, who said what.

Q. Can I Tweet whilst at an event held under the Chatham House Rule?
A. The Rule can be used effectively on social media sites such as Twitter as long as the person tweeting or messaging reports only what is being said and does not directly or indirectly identify the speaker or any other participant. This principle should always guide the way in which information is disseminated - online as well as offline.

Q. Who is most likely to use the Rule?
A. It is widely used by individuals working in government, business, legal firms, academia, the media and policy institutes and think tanks. The Rule is used internationally and has become a byword for authoritative information and ideas.

Q. Can a list of attendees at the meeting be published?
A. The list of attendees should not be circulated beyond those participating in the meeting.

Q. How is the Rule enforced?
A. The Rule depends on its success on being seen as morally binding. If an individual breaks the Rule sanctions may be taken against him or her that may involve that person not being invited to participate in similar events in the future.

Q. When was the Rule devised?
A. In 1927 and refined in 1992 and 2002.

Q. Should one refer to the Chatham House Rule or the Chatham House Rules?
A. There is only one Rule.

Q. Is the Rule used for all meetings at Chatham House?
A. Not often for Members Events; more frequently for smaller research meetings, for example where work in progress is discussed or when subject matter is politically sensitive. Most Chatham House conferences are held under the Rule.

Thanks to Gail of J4A and Patrick of Ilegal for pointing this out.

Here's the link to Chatham House...

www.chathamhouse.org.uk/about/chathamhouserule/

[nickd]

Now Shush! Get reading this....

downloads.ilegal.org.uk/shush.pdf

Then do anything but keep quiet about what's at stake here!!

THIS IS NO TIME FOR THOSE FACING INJUSTICE TO BE GAGGED

The most effective way of denying people justice is to take away their access to legal help.

THESE REFORMS ARE THE BIGGEST GAGGING ORDER OF THEM ALL!!

[carita]

Here is an update from Sheffield - email blurb to copy round to all your friends! I have a poster but didnt know how to attach to this section so please get in touch if you want one. If you would like to help out with organising, or just want to let me know that you are coming, send me an email (details below).

Thanks everyone - & good luck with your own events.

carita

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

SHEFFIELD STANDS UP FOR JUSTICE!

Public Meeting - Friday 3rd June 2011 5-6 pm, outside Sheffield Town Hall

Do you believe everyone should be treated fairly under the law - no matter who they are, where they live or how much money they have?

Cuts to legal aid and funding for advice services will stop people getting the help they need to protect their rights.

Justice for All is a group campaigning against the cuts. They are organising a national day of action to show we still say no! We want to make some noise here in Sheffield to show the government and the council what these cuts mean for people in our city. We will have a meeting outside the Town Hall with speakers from the local area including Jillian Creasy (Green Party councillor) and others from the advice sector.

When? Friday 3rd June 2011 at 5 pm
Where? Outside Sheffield Town Hall (town centre)
What else? Bring your friends, and a banner to show your group was there. And spread the word.... let's make them take notice of Sheffield !
For more info: Contact Carita at [e-mail] Hope to see you there.

Why should you believe in Justice for all?
§ We value justice for all because community legal and advice services help the most vulnerable in a community get treated fairly.
§ We value justice for all because the right advice early on can save £10 for every £1 invested & keep families together in their homes, & in
work & education.
§ We want justice for all, yet demand for advice is outstripping supply.
§ We want justice for all, yet it is becoming increasingly difficult to get expert advice and representation.

To achieve Justice for all:

§ We need advisers to be free to advise on any problem, where and when they are needed.
§ We need adequate levels of government spending on legal aid and advice, but spent on services not on wasteful systems.


To find out more and join us, visit:
www.justice-for-all.org.uk/Take-part

[nickd]

Excellent stuff Carita!! and a really good template for others to use when inviting people along. Sheffield is one of the worst areas hit by these cuts - as evidenced by the angry audience at the recent Question Time on the BBC.

Give it some Justice For All by going along and finding out what's at stake here!

Keep us informed as to how it's going Carita - and the BEST OF LUCK!! Don't forget to get lots of tweets out there and put it up on Facebook too - and don't forget some pictures of how it goes!

[nickd]

On the South Hams campaign, we've booked the 'Ashburton Room' in the Mansion House, Fore Street, Totnes in Devon. It starts at 10 and we've booked the room until 3 on the 3rd June - our 'Day for Action'.

We're inviting other agencies like Rethink, Community Mental Health Team, HomeStart, JobCentre Plus, Voluntary services, local surgery representatives, Social Services. Plus members of the public will be welcome to come along from 10. We're also inviting local councilors too!

We've managed to book our local MP to come along and meet with all of us after we've had a group discussion on how these funding cuts will impact upon us all.

As a legal aid provider I'll be pointing out what's at stake and asking people (many of whom routinely refer to us) what they'll do if they pull the plug on our funding.

We'll be doing a presentation and generally having a fruitful discussion on how all of us are doing with the constant news of cuts, cuts, cuts and no sign of any real suggestion about where people will go, or what on earth they'll do if this goes.

They'll be display boards with case studies and examples of our work for people to see. As much as we're all moaning about all of this we need to be spreading the word about the work we do and how we help people; - it's all about care in the community and we need to show people how much we do!

So we'll also be launching our new ADVICE LINE and a new website too!

Yes it's a lot more work but hey, this is worth fighting for; - just don't ask me to blow up any balloons!!

[nickd]

And good on Steve Barriball of Exeter CAB for arranging a 'Breakfast Meeting' with local councillors on the day. I hope you're dishing out the Bacon Sandwiches Steve? All served up in green Justice for All napkins hey?

Go on give it some Justice for All!!

[nickd]

Here's an update on how it's going for South Hams. I gave it some thought as to how to attack this. We could have gone for a march or a public meeting but we've gone down the route of inviting other community agenceies who we work closely with. Invites have gone out to Rethink, CMHT, local surgeries, JCP, voluntary agencies, councillors, other providers in social welfare law, local community groups.

This was our letter of invite...

Dear

Meeting 3rd June at the Mansion House, Fore Street, Totnes.
‘Ashprington Room’ Starts at 10.00 am

‘South Hams Community – Advice sector - the future of our agencies’

We are hosting a meeting to try and bring together organisations working in the South Hams to discuss the impact spending cuts may have on the people we all help in this very close knit community of ours.

In the course of providing social welfare related advice we often work in collaboration (either directly of indirectly) with many different stakeholders such as the community mental health team, local surgeries and support groups. We also work closely with other advice agencies and often achieve very positive outcomes for those most in need of our services by working together. This includes many of the client groups you work with who all too often present with a variety of problems in the predominant areas of debt, welfare benefits, housing, employment & family advice.

Regrettably we are all facing cuts in our budgets and we therefore think it would be very useful to all meet up together and discuss the impact these will have on us all. We aim to promote awareness of the impact this will have on us and would very much like you to come along and join in what I hope will be a very productive discussion. We will also be telling you about some changes in our service delivery and will provide everyone with an opportunity to break off into discussion groups so that we can feed back our concerns to the Totnes constituency MP who has been booked to attend the event at 1pm.

The meeting will not be open to the general public and is by invitation only, we are only able to accommodate a limited number of attendees and will therefore be offering a place on a ‘first come first served’ basis. We need to get an idea of the number of participants before setting an agenda for the day, there will be refreshments breaks and plenty of time for informal discussion.

I very much hope you are able to come along and look forward to hearing back from you and seeing you on the day.


Yours faithfully





Nick Dilworth
South Hams Citizens Advice Bureau
Specialist Help Point (welfare benefits/debt)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please RSVP to the above address or confirm your attendance by telephoning [phone] of emailing us on [e-mail]

Please let us know the names and number of people who can attend as soon as possible. It would also be very helpful if you could give us some idea of any particular items you would like to discuss, we can then work these into an agenda.

The meeting is being held as part of a national ‘Day for Action’ being organised by the ‘Justice for All’ campaign.

J4A Logo.

Justice for All is a coalition of charities, legal and advice agencies, politicians, trade unions, community groups and members of the public campaigning for free legal advice.
Find out more and join us at www.justice4all.org.uk


_________________________________________________

In view of some feedback and some changes in the timings, I've formulated and altered the agenda to the following....

The format of the meeting will be as follows:

10 - 11

Drop in and 'learn about the work we do in the community' - open to anyone to come along and speak with our advisors and see some examples of the work we do, we've invited councillors and generally anyone who would like to learn a bit more about our range of advice services in the key areas of social welfare law. We'll be launching our new Advice Line and website.

11 - 12

Presentations about what it is we do, the problems we face and generally increasing awareness of how we help those in the community who most use our services. We've invited groups such as Rethink, Age Concern, CMHT, local surgeries, caring groups, voluntary services, Macmillan and local community groups. Other advice providers will be able to talk about what they do in the South Hams community (our specialist services do cover all areas of the entire Totnes constituency) in the areas of Social Welfare law and indeed all areas of help which are complimentary to our services. Please feel free to suggest anyone we may not have included? We may add local Police, addiction groups and offender rehabilitation if we can accommodate them. We've also invited local councillors. We're hoping for around 30 at the meeting. It's all about getting the views of a holistic range of services which often culminate in the need for advice.

12.30

Discussion & work groups - reviewing the concerns and thinking of solutions.

1.00

Feedback from groups and introduction to MP.

1.30

Meet the MP and listen to the feedback from the groups (longer if you'd like)

2.30

After the event networking then close by 3pm.

____________________________________________________

So now it'll be a question of making it look interesting with some presentation stuff and killer powerpoint presentations.

Plus copies of SHUSH, loads of J4A leaflets and posters, no doubt some green and red baloons too, plus some A3 blown up case studies. And I've another little idea up my sleeve too.

The name of the game is to capture interest and get them to make the appropriate noises, I've booked all my team off client work and onto this because at the end of day it's just as important.

Oh and next week it's on to the media and making sure we get some good coverage.

Like I say it's all about spreading the word.

[nickd]

Coventry join in on the Justice for All Day for Action...

As posted by Jman 22/5/2011...

Coventry Law Centre organise march against legal aid cuts for day of action on 3 June. Come on other people what are you doing? If we don't bother fighting these cuts what is the point of helping any of our clients at all, stopping these cuts is now more important than your individual casework right now-that might help some clients, but if we don't do anything they are absolutely all going to lose access to advice. Don't just read-do something to help. If we can fight for them every day on individual cases surely we can fight for them collectively as well.

Well said Jman, come on all of you, what are YOU doing?

www.adviceservicescoventry.org.uk/march-oppose-proposed-cuts-legal-aid

Read more: ilegal.org.uk/index.cgi?board=reformnews&action=display&thread=2883#ixzz1N7ueg94r

[nickd]

Annew, top contributor on Ilegal informs us she's been busy. Going on 3 marches, doing 3 radio interviews and getting 3 articles in the press as well as lobbying the local MP, the bishop (not a bad idea to get a bit of divine intervention) and getting clients to lobby their MP as well as pressing the council to pass a motion condemning the cuts.

Plus a silent demo is planned for the 3rd of June.

This is IMPRESSIVE STUFF by any standard; - who can match this level of campaigning?

For link to local press coverage in the Gloucestershire area.....

Read more: ilegal.org.uk/index.cgi?board=you&action=display&thread=2836#ixzz1NFVmYMVK

[jman]

Justice for All have published details of other marches against legal aid cuts taking place around the country on the National Day of Action on 3 June-details below-please come along

"March for justice - 3 June
Actions for justice are taking place across England and Wales on 3 June. Join us at one of these public events:

Birmingham
March leaving from Birmingham Law Court, Corporation St
Starts 12pm
More info

Coventry
March leaving from Lady Godiva statue, Broadgate
Starts 1.30pm
More info

Eastbourne
March leaving from Eastbourne High St, outside Debenhams
Starts 1.30pm
More info

Hastings
March leaving from Hastings Pier
Starts 12.30pm
More info

London
Rally outside Supreme Court, Parliament Sq, Westminster
12pm - 1pm

More info:

ldnrally_invite.pdf (Adobe PDF - 146Kb)

Sheffield
Rally outside Town Hall,
5pm - 6pm

More info:

sheffieldrally_poster.pdf (Adobe PDF - 33Kb)

The Day of Action is still evolving - check back for more coming soon!
Campaigners will also be out on the high streets in Newham, Liverpool on 3 June and Tunbridge on 4 June.

If you there isn't an event near you, you could visit your MP's surgery to let them know your concerns.

Take action for justice

3 June
Email Justice For AllJustice for All a coalition of charities, legal and advice agencies, politicians, trade unions, community groups and members of the public"






www.justice-for-all.org.uk/News/March-for-justice-3-June

[carita]

Hi guys

Great to read what you are all doing!

Here is an update on Yorkshire speakers, and our new poster. Big thanks to ilegal team member Chris Cole who has kindly agreed to join the line up!

If anyone from yorkshire wants any more info or 2 help out, please contact me.

Speakers now:

Jillian Creasy (Councillor, Green Party)
David Blunkett (MP, Labour Party)
Joe Bartlett (Partner, Harthills Solicitors - family specialist)
Chris Cole - Partner, Cole & Yousaf Solicitors, Co-convenor of the Immigration Lawyers Practitioner Group (North East and Yorkshire) - immigration specialist)
Jenny Cummings (Legal aid worker at Foxhill and Parson Cross advice service - speaking on welfare benefits)
Linda Laurie (disability activist)
Geraldine O'Connor (activist and legal aid user - speaking on debt)
Danny Smith (Howells, housing caseworker)

thanks

carita

Attachments:

[nickd]

That's an excellent line up Carita; - hope it goes really well.

If anyone in Yorkshire can give a hand please let Carita know as soon as possible; - it'll be Friday before you know it.

I'm just working on trying to get all the case studies on Mylegal together Carita so they're all in one place, if you need any in particular, please let me know. Mind you, if if you've got some of your own you're going to use, maybe post them on here and I can integrate them with all the others?

It's great that you've got a trusty member of the Ilegal team behind you up there, a more committed lot you won't find.

Some case studies around the room or read out in a speech are mighty effective, as I'm sure you know.

Keep up the brilliant work and thanks for updating Mylegal!

Remember that in the course of this campaign, whichever way it goes, we'll need to take stock at some stage and see what our argument was, where it was good, where it wasn't so good. there's a long way to go yet and this battle continues until it ends, it's good to keep some record of all we did.

[nickd]

Here's some news and views of the Hastings event as covered in the press....

Advice agencies rally against cuts

Published on Friday 27 May 2011 08:45

CAMPAIGNERS are calling for an urgent re-think over plans to cut legal aid which will leave thousands of vulnerable residents with nowhere to turn for advice.

Agencies like the Hastings Advice and Representation Centre (HARC), the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) and the Brighton Housing Trust will lose half their funding under the plans to slash the legal aid budget.

And with the town facing an uncertain economic future amid huge public spending cuts, many needing advice on benefits, debt or housing issues could be left high and dry.

Alfie Jackson, of Battle Road, St Leonards, was just 11 when he was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2009. After filling in “pages and pages” of “very complex” forms, his mum Nona was told the family qualified for a minimum care allowance.

But after HARC took up her case and saw it through to a tribunal, Alfie’s disability living allowances were bumped up to the highest levels, boosting the family income by hundreds of pounds.

“Obviously everything in your life blows up with an illness like this,” she said. “My husband was working six days a week but we were running out of money. If it hadn’t been for Theresa at HARC we wouldn’t have bothered appealing the benefits decision. She was always there for us.

“The fog in your brain is just unbelievable and the last thing you want to do is deal with people who make you feel like you are making things up.”

In the end, the tribunal took just 15 minutes to overturn the Government decision, and Mrs Jackson admits the extra money has been a huge help.

“I did not realise what impact it would have - if it wasn’t for HARC we would still be trying to pick up the pieces. They cannot cut the service - it’s awful to think other families might not get the help we did.”

East Sussex Advice Plus (ESAP), an umbrella organisation for advice agencies, is organising a public protest next Friday (June 3).

ESAP manager Julie Eason said: “Losing the legal aid funding will have a huge knock-on effect. This is about access to justice.

“Huge numbers are going to need advice over the coming months and years but are not going to be able to get it. To say people who are stressed can navigate the system is just ridiculous.

“They talk about the Big Society but this will just hit the voluntary sector over the head with a hammer,” she added.

The protest begins at Hastings Pier at 12.30pm, with a march to the town hall where a panel of figures will address a public meeting. One speaker will be Amber Rudd MP who is prepared to face down her own Government on this issue.

She said: “This would affect very important services provided to some of the most vulnerable in Hastings and I will be fight any attempts to reduce the funding. I have already been quite outspoken about this.

“I do not think the ministers realise the consequences it would have on a town like ours.”


Comments

There are 3 comments to this article

brianlovett666
Sunday, May 29, 2011 at 10:40 AM

It is highly significant that at a time when people are faced with massive loss of benefits. The very organisations capable of appealing against loss of these benefits also lose their funding. This cannot be mere chance but part of a carefully planned agenda. BrianL

RichardS
Saturday, May 28, 2011 at 04:42 PM

Graeme Morgan (always the voice of doom) should speak to some of the thousands of people who have received advice from HARC, CAB and, more recently, BHT that has helped them sort out their lives. The cuts have already forced all three to cut their hours and availability at a time when cuts have increased the number of people needing advice. All of these agencies have highly knowledgeable and capable staff but this costs money - even the unpaid volunteers need training and managing.

1graeme morgan
Friday, May 27, 2011 at 09:34 PM

Getting help or advice in Hastings has never been easy but none of that was caused by the cuts, problem will be the ever increasing numbers requiring the help, there is an abundance of advice in Hastings but its a merry go round that rarely brings more than words

Well one things for certain Graeme Morgan, the Merry Go Round stops spinning if these reforms go through, if that happens - I guess a fair few down in Hastings will miss those words!

As in the Hastings Observer...

www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/news/local-news/advice_agencies_rally_against_cuts_1_2720322

[nickd]

And Coverage in nearby Eastbourne...

As in the Eastbourne Herald

Protest march to take place in Eastbourne over proposed cuts to legal aid

Published on Monday 30 May 2011 08:00


A PROTEST march takes place in Eastbourne on Friday, June 3, against cuts to legal aid funding.

Concerned campaigners say it will mean cuts to advice that people desperately need including debt, housing and family law advice.

Staff, volunteers and clients of Eastbourne Citizens Advice Bureau and Brighton Housing Trust’s Eastbourne Advice Centre are set to march on June 3.

It is part of a Day of Action and the two organisations, both holding legal aid contracts, will lead the protest which starts off at 1.30pm from outside Debenhams in Terminus Road.

A stall will also be based outside Barclays Bank in the town centre with information about the proposals and a petition for members of the public to sign.

Alan Bruzon, the manager of Eastbourne CAB, said, “Very few of the public are aware of the government’s proposals to cut legal aid funding.

“These proposals will see cuts to debt, housing, welfare benefit, employment, education, civil and family law advice amongst others.

“If the government gets their way on this, people will no longer be able to access free specialist legal advice; for the majority if they can’t afford to pay a solicitor they will either have to fight their case themselves or find someone else who can help them.

“Our concern is that the options for this are limited and many people will just give up.”

Sue Hennell, advice manager at the Eastbourne Advice Centre, said, “Legal advice and representation is an essential factor in ensuring homelessness prevention and income maximisation.

“Under current plans thousands of local residents on low incomes will lose crucial help when facing serious problems such as debt and traumatic family breakdown.”

Reasons given for cutting the Legal Aid budget include claims the UK’s system is the most expensive in comparison to other countries; it has expanded to cover a wide range of issues including some that no longer require legal expertise to resolve them; that people should be directed to other methods of dispute resolution and self-fund this; there should be a stop to issues that are of insufficient priority to justify legal aid funding.

www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/news/local-news/protest_march_to_take_place_in_eastbourne_over_proposed_cuts_to_legal_aid_1_272341

[nickd]

Good work to Hastings and Eastbourne on getting some publicity up and running. The interesting thing about these two events is they're both down on the usually sunny South East coast, within the commuter belt of London and on the whole relatively 'affluent' (well to some on the surface that is). An area between these two seaside towns is Bexhill-on-Sea which has one of the eldest population areas in the country. This really is affecting everyone -everywhere.

I had a look at what's happening in Bexhill and came across an article in the media, where people seem none to happy with their local MP..

MP in political storm over cuts

Greg Barker

Published on Friday 8 April 2011 16:00


BEXHILL’S MP was left in a tight spot this week after remarking in a talk to students in America the Coalition government was making cuts Margaret Thatcher “could only have dreamt of”.

A political storm blew up after environment minister Greg Barker made the comment in front of an audience at the Daria Moore School of Business in South Carolina, causing outrage locally and nationally.

Carole Standen, Chair of Bexhill and Battle Labour Party said: “Gregory Barker has demonstrated that this Conservative-Liberal government is cutting services for reasons of ideology, not economic necessity.

“Our public sector deficit as a percentage of national income is many times lower than it was in the 1920s, 1930s, 1940s and 1950s when Britain was certainly not bankrupt.

“The residents of Bexhill and Battle will see cuts to their tax credits as well as to childcare support.

“It would seem that East Sussex will need to close children’s centres as this budget is being savagely cut, as well as youth clubs as this budget is almost disappearing. Will “SureStart” in Sidley or in the centre of Bexhill be under threat?”

Mr Barker hit back at his critics, saying the point he was trying to make was Britain is now forced to make much larger cuts than when Mrs Thatcher took over “after the ruinous Labour government of the 1970s”.

He said: “It’s rather pathetic that instead of facing up to the huge problems that they themselves created, the Labour Party appears to now be in total denial about the deficit and just want to play old style political games.

“I know these are still difficult times for my constituents in Bexhill and Battle, but the honest truth is that if we don’t take steps now to live within our means, we’ll all end up paying higher taxes or making deeper spending cuts just to pay off Labour’s debts.”

So why on earth don't you support local advice agencies then Mr Barker??

www.bexhillobserver.net/news/bexhill-news/mp_in_political_storm_over_cuts_1_2576846

[nickd]

So how's it going I ask myself? No doubt about it, planning these events takes it out of you, so worn out probably comes into it! I've rehashed the agenda and letters in the form of a second invitation went out last week. The bank holiday takes a day out of the countdown so upon return to work today, I pulled my team together and had a bit of a planning meeting.

Resources as always are an issue, trying to get anything out of the budget is a bit like prising money out of the cash point towards the end of the month! It's surprising how much simple teas and coffees cost if you get someone to do it for you, so we're going to do our bit with kettles, polystyrene cups and some snacks and do it ourselves. You can't invite people without offering them some refreshments and a bite to eat, no doubt some of the cash will have to come out of my own pocket, which is a bit galling - given what's at stake.

It was great to hear the Day for Action get some coverage on BBC radio yesterday, they interviewed our beloved legal aid minister - Jonathon Djanogly. Sorry Jonathon, but you just don't seem to be listening to a single word anyone has said. You've had 5,000 odd consultation responses and don't appear to have taken notice of any one of them. Frankly Jonathon you irritate me, at the end of the day, you are a minister for 'Justice' and I'm not seeing you're doing your bit to stand up for what your department is meant to stand for.

I hadn't heard back from the local Jobcentre, so I called in there. It was a bit chilling walking in through those doors as it dawned on me that this could become the reality if we don't get government to change its mind. There would be an irony in standing in the same queue as those we should be helping, I hope it doesn't come to that. The visit was worthwhile as the JCP have promised to send someone along; - they think it's a really good idea.

The MP has confirmed her attendance, so the next couple of days will be all about press ganging attendees and getting everything together. I went over to the venue and checked that we can drop some stuff off the day before, thankfully we can.

I guess in truth that with only a few days to go you get tentatively nervous as to whether it'll be a sucess or failure. I've said to my team that I don't view failure as an option, I'd be gutted if there's a lack of interest. I'm going to do all I can to make sure there isn't.

Onwards and upwards!

[nickd]

Popsy from Birmingham is asking as many people as possible to sign up to a petition to help advice services in Birmingham. Lend some support, it only takes seconds and can make a lot of difference......

Here's Popsy's petition plea....

Hello all,

I would hope that you would all join me in Birmingham’s fight against the Government cuts to Legal aid. Over 6,500 vunerable people in Birmingham will be affected.

In aid of this we (Legal advice services) are having a silent protest on Friday 3rd June. See attachement

It would be great if some of you would join us in the protest. However, if you can't please sign the e-petition below

www.gopetition.com/petitions/birmingham-supports-justice-for-all.html

Please share this with other colleagues and partners that may be interested in supporting this campaign.

Attachment: image001.jpg (77.8 KB)

Read more: ilegal.org.uk/index.cgi?board=reformnews&action=display&thread=2913#ixzz1NyS6qp4j

[nickd]

East Ham - London fires up for their march at 10.30 on Friday 3rd June.

Meet up at East Hams High Street outside Primark. Stephen Timms MP will be giving his support.

grayee.blogspot.com/

Good luck from Mylegal!

[nickd]

Updated listings - as posted by Patrick on Ilegal....

[PLEASE FEEL FREE TO UPDATE BY REPLYING TO THIS MESSAGE OR STARTING A NEW TOPIC IN THIS SECTION ABOUT YOUR AREA]

Details of actions on 3 June now on J4All site-yes I know I have posted this twice both as new thread and here -its so it gets more widely noticed


"March for justice - 3 June
Actions for justice are taking place across England and Wales on 3 June. Join us at one of these public events:

Birmingham
March leaving from Birmingham Law Court, Corporation St
Starts 12pm
More info

Coventry
March leaving from Lady Godiva statue, Broadgate
Starts 1.30pm
More info

Eastbourne
March leaving from Eastbourne High St, outside Debenhams
Starts 1.30pm
More info

Hastings
March leaving from Hastings Pier
Starts 12.30pm
More info

London
Rally outside Supreme Court, Parliament Sq, Westminster
12pm - 1pm

More info:

ldnrally_invite.pdf (Adobe PDF - 146Kb)

Sheffield
Rally outside Town Hall,
5pm - 6pm

More info:

sheffieldrally_poster.pdf (Adobe PDF - 33Kb)

The Day of Action is still evolving - check back for more coming soon!

Campaigners will also be out on the high streets in Newham, Liverpool on 3 June and Tunbridge on 4 June.

If you there isn't an event near you, you could visit your MP's surgery to let them know your concerns.

Take action for justice

3 June
Email Justice For AllJustice for All a coalition of charities, legal and advice agencies, politicians, trade unions, community groups and members of the public."

Read more: ilegal.org.uk/index.cgi?action=display&board=day&thread=2920&page=1#8702#ixzz1O4T6TEZj

[nickd]

Nuneaton
Gladiators gathering petition signatures, Rope Walk Shopping centre
Between 9 - 4pm

[nickd]

Click on the link to download a compilation of 133 case studies all collected by Mylegal in Word format. They're all as collated from the posts. Gratitude to all those who contributed.

These can be used as an online resource to locate any of a number of case studies and then pasted into your own presentations and so forth.

Attachments:

[nickd]

Well our 'Day for Action' is here. See us at the Mansion House, Fore Street, Totnes, South Devon from 10am and listen out for Heart radio, who are coming along to give some coverage. We took all the stuff, presentation boards, projector/screen, leaflets, handouts, J4A packs along to the venue yesterday - to save lumping it all around this morning!

Think we've got everything ready - shortly off to pick up my team, I haven't told them they'll be wearing J4A sandwich boards in the high street yet!!

Looks like a good day, so GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE - let's hope the day gets some good coverage nationally by various media approaches.

[nickd]

Well I'm very pleased with how the day went, it was exhausting but worth it! I'll put together a post as soon as I can; - recovery time needed!

Just like to say a big thanks to my team for getting involved and to those who attended; especially our local MP Sarah Wollaston and the mayor.

In the meantime, if anyone has any news of how their event went, please do post it on here.

[nickd]

I expect a fair few are waiting to see some news of how the day went. From what I can see of the press coverage it was a good day, the sun stayed out for us as well!

Our own event in Totnes, Devon went well, more about that soon.

These campaigns are exhausting! They take a lot of planning, so forgive us whilst we have a bit of recovery time, it's shattering.

It also takes a little while to compile the information for posting, and remember folks we do this in our own time.

Watch out for more posts here, we'll give you coverage of the day very soon.

[nickd]

Well, I'll start off with an event close to my heart, the Totnes 'Day of Action'. I decided to theme this as a community event and called it 'The Future of our Agencies'.

The venue

We held it in the Mansion House, in the high street of Totnes, a busy market town in rural South Hams. I call it the 'alternative' capital of the South West. The Mansion House brought back memories, it's where I did my sixth form many moons ago. These days it's a community centre. It made an ideal venue as it's got some well equipped meeting rooms in a new part at the back of what is a very historically fronted building.

I picked up my team from our nearby offices and off we set, not having a clue how the day would go. After unloading projectors, displays, boxes full of J4A promo material and dropping off my trusty team, I went back to my car. A yellow ticketed windscreen awaited me, I'd committed the cardinal sin of parking in a loading bay! Not a great start, especially as I had been unloading. I feel another appeal coming up! Not thwarted I went in search of a parking space, no easy task on market day in this bustling town of ours.

Hot and bothered, I eventually get a space and phone my team, I was pleasantly surprised to hear people had already arrived and the man from Heart Radio was waiting. I got my skates on and quickly tried to recall my script.

A good attendance by local Councilors and even the Mayor!

It was good to see some councilors in what had become an already lively room, there seemed to be lots of chatting going on. I was glad to see my team trying to sell the service which is so much at risk if these perilous legal aid reforms go through. I noticed some gold chains and realized the mayor had joined us, this was good!

We got our message out on Heart Radio!

The radio announcement went well I think, I couldn't find the script I'd prepared in the early hours but it didn't seem to matter, when you feel passionate about what's at stake the words seem to - thankfully - flow. I've yet to hear it; - I don't think I said anything I'll regret, but hearing it may just have me changing my mind, I'll wait and hear how it comes across if I can locate the coverage.

With the broadcast over it was on to networking, more people had arrived, this was encouraging. It was great to see people turn up. Please let them stay I thought to myself. It was nice to catch up and have a chat with people you never seem to have the chance to talk to; I was among st friends - always reassuring!

The time went in no time at all before the main meeting was due to start, I'd got the projector all set up and everything seemed to be at hand. Things were going well, I prayed to myself this would continue.

The meeting began..

And so the meeting started. Our managing chair Liz Owen gave an opening and recalled her long history with our and other cab's. Liz put some praise my way, but countered it with what one or too humorous remarks which I took in good spirit. Then she handed over to me.

Our Legal Aid presentation

I started with a power point presentation I'd been working on for the event. I'm seeing if I can get it on here for others to download. I think it got over the key points; a summary of which is...

(A) Not enough is known about how CAB have funded legal aid since 1999 when the Access to Justice Act introduced the Community Legal Service (CLS). I believe the CLS is the best thing to have come out of the Access to Justice Act. In my experience it was and could continue to serve our communities well.

(B) These reforms will effectively scrap the Community Legal Service.

(C) Reduction in our legal aid could lead to as much as 65% (using projected funding figures) being withdrawn. Reductions in local funding and county council funding as well as reduction in parish council grants and project funding could decimate service provision in our area.

(D) It was explained that under these reforms all legal help for benefits will go, debt work will be restricted to cases where people risk losing their homes.

(E) We have one of the highest rates of personal insolvencies in the country and benefit appeals have snowballed with around 2,400 cases waiting to be heard in Tribunals at Exeter and Plymouth.

(F) On appeal we get good results, around 60% or more on the new Employment & Support Allowance cases and 90% in other benefits.

(G) Our local cost per person for debt advice is 38p per person per year, it's 36p for debt - exceptional value for the limited number who qualify.

(H) The words 'ludicrous', 'illogical' and 'madness' were all used; - people nodded in agreement.

(I) It was explained that the campaign was part of a huge national move by Justice for All and Sound Off For Justice, I pointed out the Ministry of Justice was flooded with over 5,000 responses and was shortly going to make an announcement on its response. There being little sign that the minister for legal aid had learned much from the consultation exercise.

(J) Everyone was urged to lobby their MP and not too keep quiet about this.

And so I moved on to throwing the meeting open for others to participate.

Thanks to all our attendees!

There were some excellent contributions from the attendees including, Hooper & Wollen solicitors, Rethink, Disability Information Service, Totnes Caring, Age Concern, Community Voluntary Services, an offender group rep, Westcountry Housing, Lameys (insolvency) Francis Clarke (accountants), Devon Family Solutions, Totnes Children's Centre, South Hams CAB and a PCT funded benefit advisor.

Key points which emerged

The keys points which came out of the discussion were these:

(1) The welfare reforms were hugely problematic and people needed specialist help to appeal, especially with the large number of Employment & Support Allowance appeals. Simplification of the benefit system was a long way off and would not be helped by outdated DWP software which wouldn't cope. The assessments which end up being te subject of appeals are unfair.

(2) People were on a knife edge, some were even suicidal.

(3) Volunteers, even from CAB, couldn't deal with the work which the specialists do.

(4) Offender rehabilitation would be more helped by a supportive welfare state with adequate advice on housing, debt, benefits, employment and family. Removal of support would increase the chances of repeat re-offending.

(5) The local council welcomes challenge as it helps improve decision-making and we already enjoy a relationship where we try to resolve matters without having to go to appeal.

(6) It was pointed out that family solicitors already use mediation where ever possible and avoid court action as a matter of routine. Good examples of family cases were given, drawing attention to the good value (under £100) of divorce advice under legal help. Employment examples were also given.

(7) The local council said bed and breakfast was very expensive in housing cases and concern was expressed over people having no help, they would miss tight deadlines rendering any action impossible. An example of £5000 being incurred by the council in a homeless case.

(8) Early intervention was key.

(9) Mental health was particularly highlighted and protecting the most vulnerable in a fragile economy was seen as key.

(10) The wider cost savings of reduced stress and drain on the NHS needed to be considered.

(11) Alternatives were explored. The money needed to be found and could come from implementing the ideas put forward by the Law Society or as an increase on Council Tax or in DWP cases on a 'polluter pays' basis where they meet legal aid costs if they lose a case.

(12) Clinical negligence was also highlighted.

(13) Cut backs in social welfare were seen as not 'community minded'.

(14) No real ideas came to the fore in terms of alternative funding solutions from private providers.

(15) There was concern over the rising cost of bankruptcy (now around £700) and who would process Debt Relief orders if specialist debt advice goes.

(16) This was completely the wrong time to think about withdrawing legal aid.

Our MP Sarah Wollaston arrives

Our local MP Dr Sarah Wollaston attended at 1.15 and listened in to some of the discussion.

Sarah then gave a short speech and spoke well of the important relationship she had forged with South Hams CAB before taking on a question and answer session with the audience. It wouldn't be right for me to highlight them, other than to say there was a very productive discussion which culminated in Sarah agreeing to take items forward to Prime Minister's Questions if we could provide points succintly. She couldn't promise anything and told the meeting how difficult it can be to get a question in the house.

Sarah has also agreed to participate in a Devon meeting with other County MP's when we can get everyone in one place. Providers are still due to meet on the 17th June in Exeter to discuss their approach.

Baroness Judith Jolly has agreed to chair the Devon MP event when it can be convened.

Just before closing the meeting, I took a calculated gamble. With around 25 in the room (not everyone could stay all day) I asked a question...

"Having listened to everything today, could you please raise your hand if you think government needs to think again on these reforms to legal aid?"

The response was overwhelming, I laughingly joked to Sarah 'I think the Ayes have it', - inwardly, I sighed with relief that so many hands went up!

The meeting was closed with a warm round of applause and thanks

Before leaving I ran back through the presentation with our MP and ensured she took away all relevant points, I also agreed to forward her a copy of the write up to the event.

We would particularly like to express our sincere gratitude to Dr Sarah Wollaston MP for engaging with us and attending the event, she has always shown herself to be very keen to listen and work with us for the good of the community.

We didn't get everyone's name but the front desk reckoned they'd counted around 40 people attending, I've got 36 listed - so it was a good attendance; especially for a very hot sunny Friday afternoon.[/b]

The aftermath!

And so the meeting came to a close, it was then a question of lugging everything back across the courtyard before going to pick up the car. I left feeling the day had gone very well indeed, the turnout was very encouraging and it was heartening to realise that at least out of all of this there seemed to emerge a strong sense of community spirit.

I went home hungry, thirsty, worn out, but pleased. As I drove home I chuckled at the parking ticket now crumpled up in the ashtray and strangely it didn't bother me, indeed it made me smile. I'm sure I'll feel different when I come to pay it, luckily I can afford to as I'm working. But for how much longer I wonder......

My huge thanks to all those who attended, I am very grateful to you all.

And so the battle goes on.