Cuts to legal aid will affect poorest and vulnerable

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http://www.cwu.org/news/archive/cuts-to ... rable.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Government changes to legal aid being brought in this year will put justice out of reach of the poorest and most vulnerable in society. Government proposals for changes to legal aid prompted protests from barristers last week across the UK.

The changes are due to the Government seeking a reduction of 20 per cent in the legal aid budget by 2018.

Tony Kearns, CWU senior deputy general secretary is asking members to sign the Justice Alliance petition which "calls on the Government to halt or repeal all changes that have been proposed in Transforming Legal Aid, which have no mandate since the Liberal Democrat motion opposing them in September 2013."

It continues: "Many of the changes have been criticised by Parliament's expert human rights committee. We believe that these changes to civil and criminal legal aid undermine the rule of law (fairness) and access to justice: they will lead to an unequal society where those with wealth and power have an unfair advantage before the law."

Tony added: "Many people rely on legal aid including victims of domestic violence, parents in custody battles, innocent people who have been wrongfully jailed and families facing homelessness. By taking away legal aid for these people, the Government is removing their safety net and depriving them of their right to access justice."

Please sign the petition to show your support. http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/d ... ce-for-all" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;