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

PLP update on Freedom of establishment regulation

Speaking for the Government in yesterday’s debate on the Freedom of Establishment and Free Movement of Services (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, Business Minister Nadhim Zahawi gave reassurances that the changes proposed will not impact on EU citizens’ rights and will not impose additional restrictions on EU nationals. He said: “First, with respect to the practical

Freedom of Establishment Regulations briefing

EU SELF EMPLOYED WORKERS: RIGHTS UNDER THREAT FROM ‘UNLAWFUL’ REGULATIONS Regulations that could strip EU workers of the right to be self-employed in the UK are up for debate in the House of Commons on Monday as legal charity Public Law Project warns that Government plans to make use of controversial Henry VIII powers may

Government withdraws plans to make Brexit laws ‘by decree’

GOVERNMENT FORCED TO WITHDRAW PLANS TO MAKE BREXIT LAWS ‘BY DECREE’ In response to a challenge by the Public Law Project, the Government has agreed to shelve plans for civil servants to make Brexit legislation by ‘public notice’, a controversial Henry VIII style power recently described by a committee of MPs as “a modern form