Legal aid cuts are a denial of justice and I have just sent an email on behalf of Amnesty International to the Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss MP telling her that I am “disappointed to see the latest evidence suggesting that the reforms to legal aid introduced by the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders (LASPO) Act 2012 have had a significantly negative impact on access to justice and protection of human rights, in particular for vulnerable and disadvantaged groups.”
I honestly think that it’s an outrage that people who need representation the most no longer have access to Legal Aid. Access to fair justice should be above government cuts and it has had serious implication on thousands of children, men and women across the UK who have been forced to navigate the impossibly complex world of the legal system without professional help. More and more I am becoming aware of situations whereby the failed outcome was because “I didn’t have the money to hire the right lawyers and so the other side won”. How is that fair? A two tier system has emerged which essentially means only the wealthy can afford it.
It is affecting people’s basic human rights and this is unacceptable. We cannot accept a justice system that doesn’t work for everyone. So if you feel the same way, here’s the link to let your thoughts be known: UK: Children and Families denied access to justice
