EU WAB – PLP’s briefing on the Independent Monitoring Authority

On the agenda for this afternoon’s EU Withdrawal Bill Committee are powers to make changes to the Independent Monitoring Authority (IMA). Read PLP’s two-page briefing here. The Withdrawal Agreement (WA) requires the UK to have an independent authority to monitor the implementation and application of the citizens’ rights provisions of the WA after the end

EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill: Second Reading Briefing

Public Law Project and Liberty have briefed parliamentarians ahead of the Second Reading of the EU (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill tomorrow in the House of Commons.

Elizabeth Prochaska appointed Chair of PLP

Public Law Project (PLP) has appointed Elizabeth Prochaska as the new Chair of the board of trustees following the resignation of Ben Jaffey QC who steps down after nearly four years in post. Elizabeth is a practising barrister specialising in public, equality and human rights law. Between 2017-2019, she was Legal Director of the Equality

UPDATE: EU citizens’ rights after a ‘no-deal’ Brexit

The November update to ‘EU citizens’ rights after a no-deal‘ is now live. Updates to this edition include: The Government statement on changes to the Immigration Rules and the Immigration (Amendment) EU Exit Regulations 2019; the phasing out of the Surinder Singh immigration route to the UK; further conditions for European Temporary Leave to Remain;

Radio 4 interview: JFF barrister Matthew Ahluwalia

PLP barrister and Justice First Fellow Matthew Ahluwalia spoke to legal correspondent Joshua Rozenberg for BBC Radio 4’s Law in Action about the Supreme Court ruling in RR v SSWDP. LISTEN to the interview here (from 4.20) In the interview Matthew explains what the ruling means for access to justice and how it will help

Supreme Court: ‘Bedroom tax’ win for human rights and access to justice

Following a joint intervention by Public Law Project, Liberty and the Child Poverty Action Group in the case of RR v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the Supreme Court has ruled that public bodies, including the First-tier Tribunal, have the power and duty to disapply regulations that are not compatible with human rights

Tackling hardship – Getting tough on benefit sanctions

A Public Law Project initiative is underway to help Universal Credit claimants avoid benefit sanctions. The new website, www.claimantcommitments.org.uk, has been launched successfully with support from the Matrix Causes Fund and aims to provide claimants and advisers with the information they need to ensure that claimant commitments are tailored to individual circumstances. What is the

Wales 2020

The Public Law Project is pleased to confirm that it will be able to provide more focused and direct public law support in Wales as of 2020. A key part of this support will be a new PLP lawyer focused on Wales. Our current plans are for this role to: Work with civil society organisations

Exceptional Case Funding Clinics: Toolkit launch

PLP’s solicitor Katy Watts has written a toolkit on setting up ECF clinics. The legal aid Exceptional Case Funding (ECF) scheme is intended to be a human rights ‘safety net’ to avoid breaches of people’s rights, ensuring access to legal aid even when it would not normally be available. ECF clinics help people access ECF

COURT REFORM: COMMONS COMMITTEE SAYS ACCESS TO JUSTICE FIRST

The Justice Select Committee has published its report on the court and tribunal reform programme. PLP Director Jo Hickman said: “The Justice Committee report rightly asserts that access to justice must be the primary focus for the court reform programme and that cost savings and efficiencies should come second. “The recommendations reflect many of the

PLP Response to Commission on Justice in Wales report

The Commission on Justice in Wales has today published Justice in Wales for the People of Wales, a review of how the justice system operates in Wales and recommendations for its future. The Public Law Project submitted three reports to the Commission: The effects of LASPO on civil legal aid in Wales Judicial Review in

Withdrawal Agreement Bill – Public Law Project briefing

Withdrawal Agreement Bill – Public Law Project briefing The European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill (WAB) has been ‘paused’ for now. The Bill may nevertheless resume progress through Parliament, possibly at short notice. The Public Law Project briefing on the Bill has brought to the attention of parliamentarians the unjustifiably broad delegated powers that the Bill