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.

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