Legal aid at 70

A conference marking the contribution that civil legal aid has made to the development of the law. Delegates will hear from experts across different fields about key cases and areas for development to improve the law.

09.00 registration

09.45 Welcome, Steve Hynes, director, Legal Action Group

Expert analysis of key developments in public law, social welfare, family and inquest law and how to extend the reach to increase access to justice.

Chair: Stephen Knafler QC, Landmark Chambers

Speakers include:

Sue James, Hammersmith and Fulham Law Centre; Jawaid Luqmani, Luqmani Thompson and Partners; Cris McCurley, Ben Hoare Bell LLP; Karen Ashton, Central England Law Centre; Sara Lomri; Public Law Project; Marcia Willis Stewart QC (Hon), Birnberg Pierce; Fiona Murphy, Doughty Street Chambers; Amanda Weston QC, Garden Court Chambers

Chair: Joe de Wet, LEAP

Speakers include:

Richard Miller, Law Society; Terry Stokes, LASA; Martin Barnes, LawWorks; Gareth Morgan, Ferret Information Systems

Ministry of Justice review team

14.10 Masterclasses

Key cases, recent developments and hot topics delivered by experts in the field. Delegates can choose one topic from masterclasses 1 and one topic from masterclasses 2:

a) Public law

b) Housing

c) Civil legal aid - looking forward

d) Disability and children's rights

e) Migrant support

f) Rights of people in detention

16.10 The greatest legal aid case of all time - the big vote

six three-minute presentations followed by a vote for the greatest civil legal aid case

Dr Laura Janes, Chair, Legal Action Group