Policy and campaigns
LAG's policy and campaigns work keeps it at the forefront of debates on access to justice. We believe that equal access to justice and fair treatment by the justice system are fundamental rights within a democratic society - a view that underpins our mission.
Manifesto for Justice
Before the general election, LAG joined with a coalition of influential organisations to publish the Manifesto for Justice. The manifesto was launched at a cross-party meeting in parliament on 3 December 2009.
In the manifesto the coalition has set out its concerns about the future of the justice system. The document calls for a range of measures designed to strengthen justice and the rule of law, including:
- more courage in the debate over the need to reduce reliance on custodial sentences;
- less legislation and more practical action to tackle crime;
- improved access to justice, especially in family and social welfare law; and
- increased effort to convey the importance of respect for fundamental human rights.
The other members of the coalition are AdviceUK, the Bar Council, the Institute of Legal Executives, JUSTICE, the Law Centres Federation, the Legal Aid Practitioners Group and Liberty.
Full text of Manifesto for Justice (pdf: 321Kb)
Proposals to improve legal aid
LAG has ten proposals to improve legal aid and realise the original vision of providing access to justice for the majority of the population. These are summarised in the June 2009 Legal Action editorial, 'Bridging the justice gap' and set out in detail in LAG’s book, The Justice Gap: whatever happened to legal aid?
Access to Justice Audit
LAG's Access to Justice Audit asked the public to voice their experiences of the legal aid system. We linked up with the Guardian and Observer newspapers and a series of films were broadcast by the Guardian which were based on the LAG project and interviews.
In the last film, Jon Robins visited a radical experiment in criminal justice in Liverpool, which the government had announced would not be rolled out despite its success.
LAG's policy submissions
LAG's campaigning work (including parliamentary briefings)
Note: If you register your interest we will keep you updated on our policy and campaigning work in your areas of interest.
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