Urgent: days to save legal aid

The legal aid bill has now left the Lords. It will be back in the House of Commons this coming Tuesday (17th April). There are only a few days left to save legal aid and we need you more than ever!

Impact of legal aid cuts on MPs

“Nowhere else to turn: The impact of legal aid cuts on MPs’ ability to help their constituents”

A report setting out the findings of a study by the Young Legal Aid Lawyers, investigating the effect of the legal aid cuts on the ability of MPs to help their constituents (download from below). To be launched in Parliament at a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Legal Aid at 1330 on 14th March 2012.

Unequal before the law? Independent report published

Unequal before the law publishes the findings of an independent Commission of Inquiry into legal aid, organised by the Young Legal Aid Lawyers and the Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers. The Commission was led by Diana Holland, assistant general secretary of the trade union Unite, Evan Harris, former Liberal Democrat MP and the Reverend Professor Nicholas Sagovsky, until recently the canon of Westminster Abbey: three non-partisan and independent-minded experts, each with a long track record of promoting social justice in their communities.

YLAL survey reveals unfair treatment of paralegals

“YLAL survey reveals unfair treatment of paralegals” Legal Action, March 2008 by Sian Davin and Marcela Navarrete

Press coverage from the launch of Unequal Before the Law

A selection of the press coverage surrounding the launch of "Unequal Before the Law" in the House of Lords on Tuesday 13th February:
 
The Guardian
 
24 Dash
 
The Daily Mirror

YLAL CALLS FOR QUALITY NOT COST

YLAL has submitted a paper called Quality not Cost to the Ministry of Justice in the hope that quality will be at the heart of the new proposals for legal aid services.

Read our paper here.

Law Society Gazette comment

Guardian comment

YLAL publish social mobility report

In line with the government's 'national crusade' on social mobility, YLAL has carried out its own investigations within the legal aid sector. Our report shows that fears that the legal aid sector could become pale and stale, as predicted by YLAL representative Kat Craig at our question time, look set to materialise. Download our social mobility report below.

Read article in Law Society Gazette here

Supervision survey report published

YLAL has published its report into the findings of its 2008-9 supervision survey, which responds to the supervision ratio proposed by the Legal Services Commission's in their 2008 consultation paper 'Civil bid rounds for 2010'.


REPORT

Quick, Dirty but Important: YLAL's Research into unmet legal need at Court


Concerned by anecdotal evidence from its members about increasing numbers of litigants in person struggling in the County and Magistrates’ courts, and frustrated by the lack of any research into the impact on clients of the first tranche of the most recent changes to legal aid, Young Legal Aid Lawyers (YLAL) has conducted its own study of court users.


YLAL Survey on Paralegals in legal aid: a growing and unhealthy dependency?

Paralegals are being exploited and underpaid, according to a survey of members conducted by Young Legal Aid Lawyers (YLAL). Respondents also raised concerns about lack of training, poor working conditions, uncertain career progression and the implications of Lord Carter’s proposed pyramid model.

YLAL has called on the Law Society and the Legal Services Commission to take firm action to ensure that the sustainability of legal aid is not jeopardised as legal aid firms become more reliant on the use of paralegals to survive.