The future of legal aid

Westminster Legal Policy Forum Keynote Seminar

The future of legal aid - assessing the impact of theLegal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill 

When: Morning, Thursday, 2nd February 2012

Where: Central London

The focus:

  • Government's response to theReform of Legal Aid in England and Wales Green Paper consultation;
  • The future of publicly funded legal services ahead of enactment of theLegal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill; and
  • The changing nature of the legal aid system and its implications for publically funded legal services, access to justice and access to advice services. 

Context:

Timed as the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill passes through the final stages of Parliamentary scrutiny

Key discussion points:

  • The future scope of legal aid;
  • Revisions made during the Green Paper consultation, and concerns raised during the Bill's recent Second Reading in the House of Lords;
  • Implications for practitioners and service users across different sectors, with reference to areas such as clinical negligence, employment, debt, welfare and immigration;
  • The future of community advice services, with perspectives from core providers and charities working in the sector;
  • Challenges for improving efficiency in the provision of legal aid ahead of the proposed closure of the Legal Services Commission; and
  • Latest thinking on alternative proposals for reform, including a keynote address fromAndrew Slaughter MP, Shadow Minister for Justice.

with

Catherine Lee

Director, Access to Justice, Ministry of Justice

Andrew Slaughter MP

Shadow Minister for Justice

Roger Smith

Director, Justic

Chaired by

Yvonne Fovargue MP

Chair, All-Party Parliamentary Group on Legal Aid

and

Rt Hon Elfyn Llwyd MP

Member, Justice Committee

This event is CPD certified

For further information view the website.