Free legal advice, because your rights matter.
Free legal advice, because your rights matter.
Valentine’s day saw the close of the government consultation on reform of legal aid, as thousands of Justice for All campaigners told the Minister they love legal aid.
Campaigners sent over four thousand Valentine’s e-cards to Justice Minister Ken Clarke, urging him to re-think reforms which would harm half a million vulnerable people.
The Ministry of Justice was overwhelmed with 5000 formal responses to the consultation, with at least 1000 of these being from Justice for All supporters, according to official sources.
Read some key consultation responses – compiled thanks to our friends at illegal.
Campaigners were also out at the Ministry of Justice to mark the midday closure of the consultation. A hundred Valentine’s cards were handed to officials as they entered the building, and Lady Justice herself delivered a special Valentine's card to the Minister. Unfortunately, Ken Clarke was unavailable to receive it in person.
Celebrities joined the calls as Kids Company's Camila Batmanghelidjh urged people to show their love for legal aid, with a comment piece in the Guardian, and Joanna Lumley announced her support for legal aid after her experience fighting a legal battle to support the Gurkhas.
The charity publication Third Sector emphasized the effect legal aid cuts would have on independent advice agencies, CAB and Law Centres. BBC Wales picked up the impact cuts would have on vulnerable people.
Justice for All supporters are continuing to campaign for free legal advice. Many have already sent copies of their responses to their local MP and are building a dialogue on the importance of the service. Others are organising local meeting and events to bring together those committed to Justice for All.
