Legal Aid and access to justice post COVID-19
This piece was written by YLAL members Chloe Darcy and Ella Cornwall.
Reports
COVID-19: 6 months on
On Wednesday 9 September 2020, One Pump Court Chambers hosted a #YLALVirtual meeting reflecting on the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic six months on from the passage of the Coronavirus Act. The meeting explored how the pandemic has affected different areas of social welfare law and the criminal justice system since lockdown began in March. Ciara Bartlam, YLAL committee member and barrister at Garden Court North Chambers, chaired the meeting.
Extended operating hours in civil, family and criminal courts: what's the problem?
This piece was written by YLAL member Maariyaah Zamir, a recent LLB graduate.
YLAL Statement on the Lord Chancellor's Announcement regarding the Criminal Legal Aid Review
On 21 August 2020, the Lord Chancellor, Robert Buckland QC, wrote to YLAL in response to our submission to the consultation on the accelerated areas of the Criminal Legal Aid Review.
YLAL's full submission to the consultation can be found here.
YLAL Leeds: Legal Aid and Domestic Violence
On 22nd July 2020, YLAL Leeds hosted the virtual event 'Legal Aid and Domestic Violence'. Aaqib Javed, YLAL committee member and future pupil barrister at Spire Barristers, began by introducing the event and the four panellists. He outlined the event’s main focus, domestic violence, and the three main topics to be discussed: the Ministry of Justice Inquiry, the Domestic Abuse Bill, and the important issue of legal aid and access to justice..
YLAL Attends APPG on Legal Aid
On 20 July 2020, the Legal Aid Practitioners Group hosted the ‘APPG on Legal Aid’ virtual meeting. Chaired by Karen Buck MP, the event focused on Covid-19 and its impact on the legal aid sector.
The COVID-19 pandemic; a scapegoat for the imminent collapse of the CJS
This piece was written by YLAL member Pietra Asprou, who has recently completed the BPTC and is a paralegal at LexisNexis UK.
YLAL Student Takeover: Resilience in a Legal Aid Career
On 8 July 2020, YLAL hosted a 'Student Takeover' event. The event featured a panel of students and practitioners. The practitioners discussed their legal aid careers and resilience in the face of challenges.
The meeting was chaired by Hafsah Hussain, a recent BPTC graduate, and featured a panel consisting of current students posing questions to legal professionals.
Karl Turner MP's report on Coronavirus and the Criminal Justice System
YLAL welcomes the Shadow Minister for Legal Aid Karl Turner MP’s recent report Coronavirus and the Criminal Justice System – Saving Access to Justice. The report can be read here.
YLAL Virtual: ‘Question time with Parliament’
On Wednesday 10th June 2020, YLAL hosted a ‘Question Time with Parliament’ #YLALVirtual event which took the form of a question and answer session.