Free legal advice, because your rights matter.
Free legal advice, because your rights matter.
The Justice for All campaign’s launch was inundated with supporters from across the country – filling the House of Parliament’s Jubilee Room twice over.
But this is only the start of a growing campaign to ensure everyone can access free, legal advice - no matter who they are, how much money they have or where they live.
Citizens Advice bureaux, Law Centres, other independent advice agencies, national charities, trade union activists, community groups and members of the public came together to lobby politicians to protect access to free, legal advice.
Campaigners crowded the House of Commons lobby as they called meeting with their local MPs about the impact cuts to legal aid, central and local authority funding could have on advice in their areas.
Two sessions of the launch reception were held to make sure everyone could hear from the host, Yvonne Fovargue MP, and members of the public explaining how free legal advice had helped them.
Colin Ashall explained how the face-to-face help from Community Links, in East London, had been essential in helping him understand how to deal with the debt problems, which spiralled when his wife had to give up work due to a stroke.
Deborah, and her 12 year old daughter Charlie, gave emotional speeches about how advice from Shelter has allowed them to find a settled home free from neighbour harassment.
But this is only the start of the campaign!
Sir Alan Beith MP stressed the importance of free advice on issues such as welfare benefits, debt, housing and employment. He said the Justice Select Committee, which he chairs, will conduct an inquiry into how proposals to reform legal aid would impact on this vital service.
Labour shadow Minister Sadiq Khan MP, said the campaign must “mobilise and snowball” to persuade the Government to change their plans.
More resources for other campaign actions will be available soon. If you would like to hold a local Justice for All campaign event or have other ideas to support Justice for All, please get in touch.