*/
Legal aid for unaccompanied child migrants will be reinstated after a five-year legal battle between the government and a leading children’s charity.
In a written ministerial statement, Justice Minister Lucy Frazer QC confirmed that legal aid would be extended to cover immigration matters for unaccompanied and separated children. The move followed a legal challenge and long-running campaign by The Children’s Society after the removal of public funding in the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO).
Frazer said her department had examined evidence presented as part of the case and data on funding applications.
‘Based on the distinct nature of the cohort in question, and of our data regarding them, I have decided to bring these cases into the scope of legal aid to ensure access to justice,’ she said.
Research by The Children’s Society in 2015 suggested thousands of children had been denied access to the law since LASPO came into force, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and homelessness.
The Children’s Society Chief Executive, Matthew Reed said: ‘This is an important change in policy which will go a long way to protecting some of the most marginalised and vulnerable young people in our communities.’
He said legal aid was an ‘absolute lifeline’ for children who are subject to immigration control and who are in this country on their own.
Legal aid for unaccompanied child migrants will be reinstated after a five-year legal battle between the government and a leading children’s charity.
In a written ministerial statement, Justice Minister Lucy Frazer QC confirmed that legal aid would be extended to cover immigration matters for unaccompanied and separated children. The move followed a legal challenge and long-running campaign by The Children’s Society after the removal of public funding in the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO).
Frazer said her department had examined evidence presented as part of the case and data on funding applications.
‘Based on the distinct nature of the cohort in question, and of our data regarding them, I have decided to bring these cases into the scope of legal aid to ensure access to justice,’ she said.
Research by The Children’s Society in 2015 suggested thousands of children had been denied access to the law since LASPO came into force, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and homelessness.
The Children’s Society Chief Executive, Matthew Reed said: ‘This is an important change in policy which will go a long way to protecting some of the most marginalised and vulnerable young people in our communities.’
He said legal aid was an ‘absolute lifeline’ for children who are subject to immigration control and who are in this country on their own.
Chair of the Bar sets out a busy calendar for the rest of the year
By Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management
Examined by Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
Time is precious for barristers. Every moment spent chasing paperwork, organising diaries, or managing admin is time taken away from what matters most: preparation, advocacy and your clients. That’s where Eden Assistants step in
AlphaBiolabs has announced its latest Giving Back donation to RAY Ceredigion, a grassroots West Wales charity that provides play, learning and community opportunities for families across Ceredigion County
Rachel Davenport, Co-founder and Director at AlphaBiolabs, outlines why barristers, solicitors, judges, social workers and local authorities across the UK trust AlphaBiolabs for court-admissible testing
Through small but meaningful efforts, we can restore the sense of collegiality that has been so sorely eroded, says Baldip Singh
Come in with your eyes open, but don’t let fear cloud the prospect. A view from practice by John Dove
Looking to develop a specialist practice? Mariya Peykova discusses the benefits of secondments and her placement at the Information Commissioner’s Office
Anon Academic explains why he’s leaving the world of English literature for the Bar – after all, the two are not as far apart as they may first seem...
Review by Stephen Cragg KC
