The Public Law Project’s (PLP) collaborative approach to public law has featured in a case study of the landmark legal challenge to the personal independence payments scheme, a case that changed the assessment criteria for thousands of people on disability benefits. The research carried out by Dr Lisa Vanhala and Dr Jacqui Kinghan of UCL…
In January 2019, the Justice Committee launched an inquiry into the access to justice implications of the programme of reforms underway in Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS), including the increasing use of digital and video technology and the closures of courts and tribunal hearing centres. Below is PLP’s submission to this inquiry. PLP…
Tomlinson and Karemba: Tribunal Justice, Brexit, and Digitalisation Immigration Appeals in the First-tier Tribunal The Public Law Project’s research department has published an article (attached above) which surveys operations of the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber). The article has been published in the Journal of Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Law. It carries findings from…
27 Feb 2019
(Amended) PLP Briefing on Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination Bill (2019) The Public Law Project has written a briefing (attached above) for policy-makers making an argument for an amendment to be made to the Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill currently before Parliament. This amendment will provide for a right of appeal to…
14 Jan 2019
Judicial Review in Wales This one of three submissions to the Commission on Justice in Wales. The others are on digitalisation and justice in Wales and The effects of LASPO on civil legal aid in Wales In this submission we note the following key conclusions about judicial review in Wales: • The ordinary civil (non-asylum…
6 Nov 2018
Evidence for the Commission on Justice in Wales on digitalisation and justice in Wales. This is one of three submissions made by PLP to the Commission on Justice in Wales. The others concern judicial review in Wales, and the Effects of LASPO on civil legal aid in Wales. From the the report: Digitalisation in the…
This paper will first summarise the means regulations. It will then explore the discord between the regulations and financial reality, and the way in which this can exclude applicants who lack the resources needed to maintain an acceptable standard of living, let alone pay for legal services. Finally, it will identify two household types who…
12 Jul 2018
The Legal Aid, Sentencing, and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO), and the subsequent secondary legislation, significantly changed the way that civil legal aid operates. Changes were made not only to the scope of legal aid, but also to the procedures and processes that clients and lawyers had to follow in order to access funding…
14 Jun 2018
This briefing paper explores effects of the LASPO reforms on civil legal aid provision in Wales. It draws on Welsh and UK Government statistics and reports; publications by legal professional bodies, Parliamentary Committees, Independent Commissions and the voluntary sector; academic sources; informal consultations with solicitors and advice charities. Download here…
The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO) limited the availability of civil legal aid, removing large areas of law from within scope of legal aid. In response to concerns about LASPO, the government included a provision for funding to be made available in certain cases, which would otherwise be outside of…
22 May 2018
This briefing paper provides an overview of the PLP research report ‘Keys to the Gateway: an Independent Review of the Mandatory Civil Legal Advice Gateway.’ The introduction of the mandatory CLA Gateway for Debt, Discrimination, and Special Educational Needs marked a major shift in the delivery of publicly funded legal advice. This briefing looks at…
The overview provided in this briefing paper identifies five key issues relating to the availability of early legal advice, which arise from the reforms to civil legal aid made by the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO). This briefing paper reviews existing research conducted by other organisations that documents how the…
1 May 2018