Specialist Lawyer Says It is Crucial Legal Aid Reforms Are Investigated

BBC’s Panorama TV documentary series is to feature a show tonight (30 March at 19.30) criticising recent cuts to Legal Aid.

Entitled DIY Justice, the show will see reporter Raphael Rowe meeting parents who are fighting for access to their children without any legal assistance.

Since the government cut £350m from the Legal Aid budget there has been a massive increase in litigants in person – people representing themselves – in the UK civil courts. Many of these are dealing with highly important issues such as mental health care and contact with their family.

A report last week by the Justice Select Committee revealed that victims of domestic abuse were struggling to get legal aid representation because they have to provide evidence of their abuse.

Yogi Amin, a Partner and head of the Public Law team at Irwin Mitchell who spoke with producers of the show said:

Expert Opinion

Legal Aid has been extremely important tool in helping vulnerable people with access to justice for over 65 years. Without Legal Aid many would find it impossible to seek specialist advice on life-changing situations leaving them unable to use the legal process as others can. There has been a significant rise in people representing themselves at court, which will often put them at a disadvantage.

“It is crucial that reforms to Legal Aid are investigated and reviewed so that we can ensure vulnerable people’s rights are protected in future. In our view the cuts to Legal Aid have been too wide-reaching and implemented too quickly having a significant impact on people across the country.” Yogi Amin - Partner and National Head of Public Law and Human Rights