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CLSA ‘stunned’ by level of public support for justice
The public rank the right to access to justice on a par with access to free health care, according to the results of a survey published by the Criminal Law Solicitors Association (CLSA).
Independent market research company YouGov conducted the CLSA poll of just over 2,000 adults at the beginning of April. In an interview with Legal Action, CLSA vice-chair Robin Murray said that he was ‘stunned’ by the results, which indicted 84 per cent of people saw access to justice as a fundamental right for all British citizens, slightly ahead of the right to health care. He said he was ‘genuinely pleased’ that 89 per cent of the respondents to the poll agreed that legal aid was either very or fairly important.
Murray believes the results of the poll show that, ‘when you cut through the prejudice surrounding access to justice and legal aid peddled by the government, the public understands its importance.’
CLSA and the London Criminal Courts Solicitors Association have written to Sir Jeremy Heywood, the head of the civil service, to complain that the Lord Chancellor’s decision to restart the duty criminal tenders process breaches the parliamentary convention of ‘purdah’. The government’s decision was taken after the organisations representing criminal legal aid solicitors lost their attempt to block the tenders in the Court of Appeal at the end of March.
2015 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards
The judging panel for the 2015 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards is due to decide this year’s shortlist later this month, following the close of nominations at the end of April.
Carol Storer, director of the Legal Aid Practitioners Group, which organises the LALY awards, said: ‘The number and quality of nominations is as high as ever, which is heartening to see, and a real reflection of the profession’s continuing dedication to protecting the rights of the poor and vulnerable.’
Judges this year include last year’s legal aid barrister of the year, S Chelvan, and will be chaired once again by Lord Justice Andrew McFarlane and hosted by Sky’s Anna Jones (pictured). The winners will be announced at a ceremony on 1 July. The LALYs are now into their 13th year, and are supported by Legal Action, as media partner.