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New Family Fees from 2 May 2011?
As one of the recognised representative bodies, Resolution has been asked to comment on a draft Funding Order, which would give effect to the new Private Family Law Representation Scheme and Family Advocacy Schemes. These are the schemes that were delayed due to the outcome of the litigation in the wake of the 2010 Family Contract tender. The draft Funding Order reflects the provisions we were expecting, although we may request some points of clarification.
Resolution will be offering refresher training on the new fees as soon as we have a definite start date for the new schemes.
Disappointingly the Minister has confirmed that funding for collaborative law won’t be introduced through this fees order but that the issue will be addressed in the Government’s response to the Green Paper on legal aid.
Resolution’s campaign for legal aid
Resolution members and staff are working hard to lobby for Family legal aid and against the proposed cuts. You can find out what we have been doing and what you can do to help the campaign here.
We know many individual members and their firms responded to the consultation paper. We are very grateful to you for doing so when we know you are so busy. The Ministry of Justice received over 5,000 responses. You can read Resolution’s response here, or a summary, here.
Legal aid workshop at Conference
The Legal Aid workshop at this year's conference will focus on strategies for developing a Legal Aid practice in the face of the Government's decimation of legal aid provision. The workshop is on Saturday 2nd April at 11am. You can find the full conference programme here and a conference booking form here
The Law Society’s campaign for legal aid
The Law Society has launched a campaign to inform members of the public of the consequences of cuts to legal aid and to encourage them to sign a petition. It reminds people that the recent celebrated case concerning Gurkha rights was funded through legal aid.
Find out more by visiting the Sound Off For Justice website
Justice for All
Justice for All is a coalition of legal and advice agencies, politicians, trade unions, community groups and members of the public, campaigning to preserve free, independent advice and representation on legal matters. Campaigners sent over four thousand Valentine’s e-cards to Justice Minister Ken Clarke, urging him to re-think the reforms which would harm half a million vulnerable people.
You can find out more at the Justice For All website.
Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards
The Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards are now into their ninth year and are a unique celebration of the invaluable work done by solicitors, barristers, legal executives, paralegals and other advisers working in the publicly-funded sector. They are organised by the Legal Aid Practitioners Group on behalf of the profession.
Resolution is sponsoring the Family Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year. Nominations are also being sought for the following categories; Criminal Defence Lawyer, Social and Welfare Lawyer, Young Legal Aid Solicitor, Mental Health Lawyer, Legal Aid Barrister, Legal Aid Firm/Not-for-profit Agency, Immigration Lawyer and Young Legal Aid Barrister. You can download a nomination form here. Nominations must be received by Wednesday 27 April 2011.