Policy Responses

The Law Centres Federation responds to consultation papers produced by Government Departments on changes to the way legal advice and representation services are supplied and funded.

The LCF focuses on how the proposals affect the ‘not-for-profit’ legal and advice sector and in particular on their impact on Law Centres and their clients.

The Law Centres Federation is a full member of the Advice Services Alliance which is the umbrella body for independent advice services in the UK. Members are national networks of not-for-profit organisations providing advice and help on the law. Members include AdviceUK, Citizens’ Advice, and Shelter. ASA provides a forum for members to discuss policy work, including responses to government initiatives relating to legal and advice services.

March 2011

Response to the Cabinet Office on the impact of Local Authority funding cuts on Law Centres

The Cabinet Office asked LCF to supply information about the impact of the Local Authority funding cuts on Law Centres.
Read the summary: LCF_Summary_on_Local_Authority_funding_cuts_and_Law_Centres.doc

February 2011

Response to Green Paper on Legal Aid Reform

LCF has responded to the Ministry of Justice’s Green Paper on the reform of legal aid in England and Wales. LCF stressed that the proposed cuts to legal aid would lead to significant additional costs for the Ministry of Justice, deny the most vulnerable access to justice, undermine the rule of law and likely destroy the charitable legal advice sector.
Read it here: LCF_Green_Paper_Consultation_Response.pdf
Read our briefing for MPs: Legal_Aid_Briefing_from_LCF.pdf

November 2010

Submission to Justice Select Committee on Legal Services Commission

Law Centres’ views on the LSC tender this year and the role of the LSC were submitted to the House of Commons’ Justice Select Committee in November.
Read them here: Submission_to_Justice_Select_Committee_on_LSC.doc

October 2010

Response to Welfare Reform Consultation

LCF submitted a collective Law Centres submission to the white paper on welfare reform, 21st Century Welfare, drawing out the impact of the proposed 10 per cent cut in housing benefits for those on job seeker’s allowance.
Read it here: Law_Centres_Open_Letter_on_Housing_Benefit_and_Welfare_Reform.doc

September 2010

Contribution to Comprehensive Spending Review

LCF has submitted two papers to the Cabinet Office and to the Government Equalities Office as part of Law Centres’ contribution to the Comprehensive Spending Review. These were based on the experience and views of Law Centres provided over the past year.
Read them here:
LCF_response_to_Cabinet_Office_Open_Letter.doc
LCF_Response_to_GEO_Open_Letter.doc

June 2010

Response to Administrative Justice and Tribunals Council Consultation

LCF has fed into a consultation on the principles underpinning the work of the Administrative Justice and Tribunals Council. Following input from Law Centres, LCF stressed that administrative justice must be client-focussed, allowing adequate time to be spent with each client.
Read it here: LCF Response to AJTC Principles consultation.doc

February 2010

Response to Rights and Responsibilities Consultation

Law Centres have affirmed their commitment to human rights in their response to the Ministry of Justice consultation on the Bill on Rights and Responsibilities. Over 50 per cent of Law Centres signed up to the statement which called on the government to strengthen the Human Rights Act, align it with UN treaties and incorporate Article 47 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.
Read it here: Rights and Responsibilites Law Centres Response 2010.doc

December 2009

Response to Sir Ian Magee’s Review of Legal Aid

In December 2009, Law Centres submitted a proposal to Sir Ian Magee’s review of legal aid based on a collective position developed through consultation with Centres. Law Centres’ submission recommended strengthening local delivery and local accountability, backed up by examples from Law Centres and recent research. It also emphasised the need to maintain a legal aid agency at arm’s-length from government.
Read it here: LCF Response to Sir Ian Magee Review.doc

October 2009

Response to Priority Cases Consultation

LCF has responded to the Ministry of Justice’s consultation “Legal Aid: Refocusing on Priority Cases”. The MoJ’s proposals include severely restricting legal aid for non-UK nationals who are not officially resident in the UK. LCF’s response, with input from Law Centres, argued that restricting access to justice for people who do not have residential status is likely to result in vulnerable people being placed at greater risk.
Read it here: LCF Response to Priority Cases Consultation.doc

In the Policy & Publications section:

Publications

Areas of Law

The LCF sometimes responds to other Government Department’s consultation paper on areas of law that are covered by Law Centres, like housing or employment law.

Law Centre Responses

Law Centres also submit their own responses to papers. View: Policy and Publications.

Press Releases

The Law Centres Federation issues press releases on LCF events, LCF responses to consultation papers, Changes to legislation and Law Centre news. Go to News for the latest news.