A solicitor at one of the firms named in open court by Sir John Thomas, president of the Queen’s Bench Division, for non-disclosure in an immigration case has spoken of his ‘absolute shock’ and says he has been ‘treated unfairly’, writes Elizabeth Davidson. Sir John named three immigration firms for not complying with disclosure duties
The Prime Minister has promised a clampdown on the ‘massive growth industry’ of judicial reviews. Addressing the CBI conference, David Cameron announced proposals to streamline equality rules and cut legal red tape. Coming to the subject of judicial reviews, the PM said: ‘This is a massive growth industry in Britain today. Back in 1998 there
Universal credit – due to be introduced next October – will bring together a range of benefits and credits into one system, and aims to ensure people are financially better off in work than out, writes Elizabeth Davidson. According to the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), it will be a simpler, more streamlined benefits
Desperation among local authority housing departments is running so high that homeless families are regularly told they can be given accommodation only if their children go into care, writes Elizabeth Davidson. This shocking response on the part of the authorities is clearly a fob-off given that this would not only breach their legal duties but
An ‘immediate examination’ of the legal aid system has been ordered by the new Justice Secretary Chris Grayling. ‘I am concerned about public confidence in the legal aid system,’ Grayling said. ‘I have ordered an immediate examination of aspects of the system that affect its credibility with the public. Legal aid is a fundamental part
INTERVIEW: Next April represents a seismic shift in the legal aid world. It’s not only the LASPO cuts but the Legal Services Commission is going to be subsumed into the Ministry of Justice. Jon Robins speaks to Hugh Barrett, director of legal aid commissioning and contract management at the LSC. ‘The timetable is as of
An Advocate General’s Opinion on costs in a case last week has cheered up environmental campaigners no end, writes Elizabeth Davidson. The otherwise unglamorous European Court of Justice case (about a cement works) foreshadows future legislative and judicial help for those who find themselves priced out of legal action. Money acts as a powerful deterrent
Professional footballers have been involved in preliminary discussions about setting up a black players’ association with the help of the Society of Black Lawyers (SBL), following a series of racism scandals in the sport, writes Elizabeth Davidson. Discussions are at an ‘early stage’ and involve ‘only a small number of players and football industry staff’,
Political interference in the granting of legal aid – whether actual or suspected by members of the public – could become a genuine concern for the government after next April. Should public money be denied cases brought against government departments or that involve unpopular characters or controversial issues, ministers’ impartiality in the decision-making process may
The response deadline for ITTs for face-to-face contracts in the following categories of law is midday on Monday 22 October 2012: Family Housing & Debt Immigration & Asylum Organisations that do not tender for work by the deadline will be unable to undertake legal aid work in the above categories of law from 1 April
