Legal Aid in Crisis

Legal Aid in Crisis
Author: Moore, Sarah
Publisher: Policy Press
Total Pages: 104
Release: 2017-04-12
Genre: Law
ISBN: 1447335457

One of the many areas of social support affected by the recent austerity measures in Britain is legal aid, which has suffered under cuts so substantial that, this book argues, the result is the most radical set of changes in the sixty-year history of legal aid in the nation, a transformation of its very meaning and purpose. From an original position as a form of social welfare to which nearly anyone could get access, it is now seen as a benefit, outside the legal system, and almost wholly cast in economic terms. This book looks at this shift and its far-reaching consequences not just for individuals but for the whole of the court system.

Legal aid reform in England and Wales

Legal aid reform in England and Wales
Author: Great Britain: Ministry of Justice
Publisher: The Stationery Office
Total Pages: 290
Release: 2011-06-21
Genre: Law
ISBN: 9780101807227

This is the Government response to Cm. 7967 'Proposals for reform of legal aid in England and Wales (ISBN 9780101796729) and sets out the plans to deliver the goals stated in that paper. The legal aid programme put forward includes: reform of the classes of cases and proceedings retained within the scope of legal aid; exceptional funding; amendment of merits test criteria for civil legal aid; establishment of the Community Legal Advice Telephone helpline; financial eligibility reforms; criminal remuneration; civil and family remuneration; expert fees and alternative sources of funding

A Fairer Deal for Legal Aid

A Fairer Deal for Legal Aid
Author: Great Britain: Department for Constitutional Affairs
Publisher: The Stationery Office
Total Pages: 48
Release: 2005-07-05
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 9780101659123

Dated July 2005.

Paths to Justice

Paths to Justice
Author: Hazel Genn
Publisher: Hart Publishing
Total Pages: 399
Release: 1999-11
Genre: Law
ISBN: 1841130397

"Effective policy-making in the administration of justice requires a solid understanding of public behaviour. This book presents the results of the most wide-ranging survey ever conducted by an independent body or government agency into the experiences of ordinary citizens as they grapple with the kinds of problems that could ultimately end in the civil courts. Funded by the Nuffield Foundation, the survey identifies how often people experience problems for which there might be a legal solution and how they set about solving them. Revealing crucial differences in the approach taken to different kinds of potential legal problems, the study describes the factors that influence decisions about whether and where to seek advice about problems, and whether and when to go to law. In addition to exploring experiences of courts, tribunals and ADR processes, the study also provides important insights into public confidence in the courts and the judiciary. For the first time the study reveals the public's perspective on access to civil justice and makes a significant contribution to debate about how far civil justice reforms coincide with public experience and expectations about resolving justiciable problems."--Back cover.

Experiences of Criminal Justice

Experiences of Criminal Justice
Author: Newman, Daniel
Publisher: Policy Press
Total Pages: 270
Release: 2022-01-18
Genre: Law
ISBN: 152921422X

Austerity continues to impact the criminal justice process in England and Wales: police numbers are down, the Crown Prosecution Service is in disarray, legal aid has been reduced, courts are closing and magistrates are leaving. Research into the criminal process usually focuses on England, however this book offers a rare insight into South Wales. Drawing on first-hand accounts of lawyers, police, suspects, and the convicted and their families, it uncovers how these affected individuals navigate the challenges caused by austerity, what has changed and what can be done to improve the system. This book is a reliable and evocative account of the reality of criminal justice in Wales.

Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012

Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012
Author: Great Britain
Publisher: The Stationery Office
Total Pages: 148
Release: 2012-05-11
Genre: Law
ISBN: 9780105610120

These notes refer to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c.10) (ISBN 9780105410126) which received Royal Assent on 1 May 2012

Proposals for reform of civil litigation funding and costs in England and Wales

Proposals for reform of civil litigation funding and costs in England and Wales
Author: Great Britain: Ministry of Justice
Publisher: The Stationery Office
Total Pages: 108
Release: 2010-11-15
Genre: Law
ISBN: 9780101794725

In Lord Justice (Sir Rupert) Jackson's report, ’Review of Civil Litigation Costs: Final Report', (ISBN 9780117064041, January 2010 109 recommendations are put forward to promote access to justice at proportionate costs. This consultation sets out the proposals that the Government is taking forward as a priority. These include Sir Rupert's package of proposals on the reform of conditional fee agreements (CFAs) and on damages-based agreements (DBAs or ’contingency fees'). Sir Rupert also puts forward two alternative packages of recommendations should the primary recommendations not be implemented. These packages would introduce more rigorous control over the level of success fees and ATE insurance premiums that can be recovered from the losing side. The Government considers that the radical reform proposed in Sir Rupert's primary recommendation is needed, but these alternative measures are included in this consultation so that those responding can consider other options. This consultation also covers three other proposals from Sir Rupert's report. The first is to ensure proportionality of total costs. The second is allowing lawyers to enter into damages-based agreements (DBAs) with their clients in litigation before the courts. The use of these agreements is currently not permitted in litigation. However, the Government agrees with Sir Rupert that allowing DBAs would give litigants greater choice in deciding the most appropriate funding method for their case, and could increase access to justice for claimants if CFAs become less attractive. The third concerns increasing the hourly rate recoverable by a successful litigant in person.

Legal Aid Reform

Legal Aid Reform
Author: Great Britain: Department for Constitutional Affairs
Publisher: The Stationery Office
Total Pages: 76
Release: 2006-11-28
Genre: Law
ISBN: 0101699328

The legal aid system is one of the cornerstones of the post-war Welfare State, and since its creation nearly 60 years ago, it has enabled millions of people to access legal advice, support and representation; many of whom would otherwise have been denied access to justice because they could not have afforded to pay. However, the expectations and pressures faced by the legal aid system today are very different to those when it was created, and this document sets out the Government's proposals to reform the system to ensure its sustainability and effectiveness in contributing to the fight against social exclusion. These proposals follow on from three other documents: i) the Government's long-term strategy for legal aid 'A fairer deal for legal aid' published in July 2005 (Cm 6591, ISBN 0101659121); ii) the recommendations of the independent review of legal aid procurement undertaken by Lord Carter of Coles (details are available at www.legalaidprocurementreview.gov.uk/publications.htm) published in July 2006; and iii) a consultation paper jointly issued by the Department for Constitutional Affairs and the Legal Services Commission (details available at www.dca.gov.uk/consult/legal-aidsf/sustainable-future.htm) published in July 2006.

Evaluation of the Public Defender Service in England and Wales

Evaluation of the Public Defender Service in England and Wales
Author: Lee Bridges
Publisher: The Stationery Office
Total Pages: 336
Release: 2007-07-31
Genre: Law
ISBN: 9780117037311

This report presents the findings of the independent evaluation of the Public Defender Service based on an evaluation of its work over the first three years of its existence, between 2001 and 2004. Chapter 1 sets out the policy background to the establishment of the PDS. Chapter 2 presents findings relating to the background of the clients and complexity of the cases. Chapter 3 compares the way the PDS and private criminal defence firms process cases. Chapter 4 contains findings on the quality of work; Chapter 5 analysis the time spent on cases. Chapter 6 reports on a survey on the effectiveness, quality, and independence of the PDS. Chapter 7 reports on a survey of experiences of working with the PDS.

Review of Civil Litigation Costs

Review of Civil Litigation Costs
Author: Great Britain. Ministry of Justice
Publisher: The Stationery Office
Total Pages: 388
Release: 2010
Genre: Law
ISBN: 9780117064034

In January 2009, the then Master of the Rolls, Sir Anthony Clarke, appointed Lord Justice Jackson to lead a fundamental review of the rules and principles governing the costs of civil litigation. This report intends to establish how the costs rules operate and how they impact on the behavior of both parties and lawyers.