Whatever your opinion of the new Labour leader, his commitment to access to justice must be applauded, says Jon Robins
However you see the landslide election of Jeremy Corbyn—a brave new dawn or the mad act of a political party in the grips of an existential crisis—lawyers and campaigners committed to access to justice must welcome the new leader’s genuine concern about the ongoing evisceration of our legal aid scheme.
Bach for good
Before heading off to Brighton for the Labour Party conference, Corbyn appointed Lord Willy Bach to review the coalition government’s legal aid cuts under the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO). “This has resulted in many of our fellow citizens, often the poor and marginalised, not being able to get advice or representation when they are faced with legal problems such as housing, welfare benefits, debt and employment,” said Corbyn. “Many vital advice services, including Law Centres, have had to close.”
Remember the LASPO cuts? Legitimate concerns about the impending decimation of the criminal defence profession—and its standoff with the government—have eclipsed the unfolding disaster in our
