September 2008 The Socio-Economic Value of Law Centres
The Law Centres Federation commissioned the New Economics Foundation (nef) to assist with the production of a short piece of research examining the socio-economic value of the impacts of the work of Law Centres.
The estimates produced for the socio-economic benefits produced by the case studies reviewed demonstrate the significant socio-economic value that Law Centres provide to the individuals they assist, and other stakeholders affected by the intervention.
• For the individual case study reviewed, every £1 invested generated benefits in excess of £15.
• For the public legal education programme, every £1 invested generated benefits of £25.
These figures relate to the first draft of the report, which was completed in August 2008. The final report will be posted here as it appears.
August 2008 Investigation and understanding unmet legal need in Magistrates’ and County Courts
Research carried out by Young Legal Aid Lawyers in 2008 and published in August. YLAL
YLAL_Court_Users_Survey_August_08.pdf
The survey found that almost two-thirds of respondents were unrepresented. Unmet legal need in civil cases was especially high, with only 10 per cent of respondents represented. The survey revealed that a large number of court users were not even sure whether they were eligible for legal aid or where they could get it.
An article on the research “YLAL surveys unmet legal need at court” was published in Legal Action Group Bulletin in August 2008.
LAG_YLAL_Court_Users_Survey_08.08_.pdf
July 2008 Number of Contracts to NfP sector reduced
Information provided on 10th July to South Manchester Law Centre in response to a Freedom of Information Act request to the Legal Services Commission. LSC_on_Contracts_10.07_.08__.pdf
June 2008 LSC Strategic Plan 2008 - 2011
Strategic_Plan_2008-11_12.06.08.pdf
June 2008 LCF Networking
Law Centre’s May/June 2008 Newsletter
May_2008.pdf
June 2008 Third Sector Strategy 2008-2011
Strategy published by the Ministry of Justice on 6th June 2008 on ‘Improving policies and securing better public services through effective partnerships’.
Third_Sector_Strategy_June_08.pdf
May 2008 Communities face threat of legal exclusion
Article by Steve Hynes, director of Legal Action Group in the Solicitors Journal 27th May 2008
Solicitors_Journal_-_Communities_face_threat_of_exclusion_27th_May.doc
May 2008 Ministry of Justice Department Report
Ministry of Justice Department Report for 2007 -2008
Chapter Four on Access to Justice
Access_to_Justice_2007-2008.pdf
Autumn 2008 Performance Report: Autumn_Performance_Report_Dec2008.pdf
May 2008 CLACs - Are they Worth It ?
Policy Paper on Community Legal Advice Centres written by Adam Griffith from the Advice Services Alliance. Published on 22nd May 2008
‘Based on an analysis of the various tender documents produced so far, this paper identifies the key requirements specified for CLACs and a number of concerns. The LSC has confirmed that there will be an evaluation of the first round of CLACs. This paper identifies a number of issues that may need to be considered in that evaluation.’
ASA_CLACs_Are_they_Worth_it_.pdf
May 2008 Legal Aid and the Public Interest
Bar Council Discussion Paper launched on 20th May at a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Legal and Constitutional Affairs. The meeting was chaired by Lord Brennan QC and speakers included Carolyn Regan, Chief Executive of the Legal Services Commission, Andrew Holryod, President of the Law Society and Tim Dutton QC, Chair of the Bar.
Legal_Aid_and_the_Public_Interest_May_2008.pdf
Note the paper includes an overview of the legal aid reforms since 2004 - ‘The Journey so far’ on page 8
