Post by nickd (Mylegal) on Feb 24, 2011 0:11:02 GMT
Thanks for posting this Jman: I've emailed them and asked for an invite, just hope I get one, it would be good to get the chance to participate in one of these events.
Post by nickd (Mylegal) on Feb 24, 2011 12:38:50 GMT
Got an invite! We've just got to come up with short succinct questions (always a problems for me - some would say! - but I can summarise when I need to) Might be an idea - if anyone else is going, to put our heads together and make sure we're not repeating questions - perhaps we could do so via email Ilegal Patrick? - rather than posting questions - giving the panel an opportunity to prepare their answers. although I understand they need to be told them beforehand. The invitiation comes with a pro-forma questionnaire which needs to be returned. Anyone else going from Devon? Other CAB/Shelter?
Nice one Nick. The key issue is the complexity one-the line he keeps taking is that we only deal with generalist matters and therefore we shouldn't be funded-insulting and patronising to us all whether intentionally or not. We really need to keep emphasising that these are complex legal issues involving voluminous legislation, European law and procedural law and many Tribunals where we are appearing pro bono against Counsel. Many lawyers who have no experience in social welfare law haven't the foggiest about what actually happens, but rely on myth. You would think they would at least have the courtesy to talk to people actually doing the work, the solicitors, barristers and experienced caseworkers in law centres, CAB and other organisations. But keep it cool nevertheless!
Post by Patrick Torsney on Mar 13, 2011 8:30:28 GMT
A quick reply to this to bump it back up the board listings - I was trying to find it yesterday with no luck!
Remember, the event it this week coming. I'm teaching in Birmingham so won't be able to make it. We'll have to rely on Nickd and and any other of you ilegal users to give us the lowdown afterwards
One question that has occured to me recently is the mismatch between welfare benefits policy and legal aid policy - the former is being reformed on the basis that the system is hideously complex and no-one can understand it, yet the latter is being reformed on the basis that welfare benefits queries are too basic and shouldn't require legal assistance to resolve.
Exactly the same thing is happening with employment. On the one hand BIS is saying Employment Tribunals are horrendously complex and employers are having to run up large legal bills defending them and it must be made harder for employees to bring claims. On the other hand MOJ is saying employment tribunals are straightforward and legal advice is not needed because of the user friendly nature of Tribunals.
Post by Patrick Torsney on Mar 18, 2011 10:25:16 GMT
Apparently it went well. Nickd went and we spoke afterwards when I got back into London. I'll drop him an email and see if he can give us a run down when he gets a min. I followed it on Twitter whilst on the train. From the tweets coming out, it sounded like Djanogly was, quite rightly, getting a hard time