Post by Colin Henderson on Apr 15, 2011 8:25:30 GMT
The waiting is over. J4A campaign materials packs will be available from next week. If you don't/won't get one through your network then you can order them direct. Full message:
"Campaign packs containing pre-printed materials to publicise Justice for All will be available from 18 April. Each pack contains: •4 A3 posters •stickers •15 leaflets •30 flyers Justice for All members are distributing campaign packs thorugh their networks. If you are not part of one of the networks below, contact us directly at campaign@justice-for-all.org.uk
Advice UK members - Contact: Phil Jew Citizens Advice bureaux - packs will be in the May mid-month pack. Contact: Gail Emerson Law Centres Federation - Contact: Jane Backhurst Legal Aid Practitioners Group - Contact: Carol Storer"
Post by Patrick Torsney on Apr 17, 2011 10:33:55 GMT
J4A has now put out a document summarising some of the points made in the consultation response we've been gathering here. James Sandbach got in touch on Friday and said it's been circulated to Ministers, all MPs, about 150 peers, all MoJ/LSC/Governmental officials, senior judiciary/heads of professions and stakeholders/organisations in the legal policy community
It's not up on the J4A site yet, but we have it on the ilegal servers via this earlier post:
Update today 20.04.11 on Justice for All site on human rights and justice organisations across Europe combining in Vienna to attack the erosion of access to justice and human rights by governments in the face of the current cuts to legal aid and other services/rights :
"International support for Justice for All Leading European human rights organizations gathering today in Vienna, say governments across Europe are rolling back access to justice and the rule of law for the most vulnerable at the time of greatest need, silencing millions across Europe.
“42 million Europeans already live in extreme poverty”, said Marie-Cecile Renoux from international movement ATD Fourth World, “we’re seeing the impact of the recession in an alarming increase in exclusion and homelessness across Europe. These people feel they don’t have a voice.”
“Unfair dismissal cases are peaking across Europe as our members tackle the double hit of economic crisis and cuts to social benefits ”, said John Monks from the European Trade Union Confederation, “undermining access to justice is a third pivotal hit which will be devastating.”
“More than 500,000 vulnerable people will be silenced every year if government legal aid reforms go ahead in the UK”, said Jane Backhurst from Law Centres Federation, “thousands are campaigning under the Justice for All banner to stop this, the government needs to listen to them.”
“Our 700 member agencies are sounding the alarm about the rising tide of discrimination across Europe ”, said Michael Privot of the European Network against Racism,” access to justice concerns all of society, but those living in poverty and ethnic minority people and migrants always seem to end up at the bottom of the ladder.”
“While people across the Middle East are standing up for their economic and social rights, getting European governments to ensure that these rights are a reality through the courts remains an uphill battle”, said Antoine Madelin of the International Federation of Human Rights.
Charities, trade unions, voluntary and other community associations across Europe are stepping up joint action and calling others to join them, in solidarity with millions being silenced, who have been unfairly treated and excluded from justice, so that everyone can have access to justice in Europe, no matter who they are, where they live or how much money they have."
Post by nickd (Mylegal) on Apr 28, 2011 20:54:53 GMT
Some ideas for the Justice for All day of action on the 3rd June.
As many of you will know Justice for All are holding a 'Day of Action' for the 3rd June. I'll embed this in the J4A thread, but I wanted to take this opportunity of putting up a separate post on the things we can do to make this a key event.
Djanogly's announcement is expected at some time in the not too distant future, I certainly wouldn't count on any delay. If there's a delay the extra time should (IMHO) be utilised to go all out to make this campaign even stronger. I've put up various posts on my scepticism over the issue revolving around delays and also whether government is likely to change it's views elsewhere. I think we should assume they won't;- which makes it all the more necessary to get involved with an intensive round of campaigning from now until such times as MP's are called on to vote these reforms.
On our part at South Hams CAB we've gone all out to contest these reforms and I'm sure others have too. This seems like an opportune moment to share our campaign experiences and to this end I've set up a new thread on Mylegal for people/organisations to share their experiences. I've also put up some 'tips' on how to go about it and would welcome any that others can provide.
To download our own 'newsletter' which summarises the actions we've taken so far (it would be great to learn of the actions others have taken) here's the link.......
At the end of the day it's all down to how the parliamentary voting goes, I presume this will shortly follow after Djanogly's announcement. I'm not sure how it'll proceed, whether in stages or the passing of one overall bill leading up to the enactment of the Legal Services Act, part of it seems to me to be more of a massive repeal of of the Access to Justice Act. I'm sure they'll be a lot of call for amendments in various passages of the bill. It would be good to have some commentary on how the legislation is likely to proceed. I'm sure they'll be some judicial challenges to the impact assessments; - we can but wait and see.
What is certain is that until all of this has become clearer we should be saying to our MP's that it is totally wrong to vote for the abolition of legal aid for social welfare law! MP's have the option of voting for or against, or to abstain. They should be pressured into doing what's best for the constituents they represent rather than to suit the party rhetoric.
On our part we're in the process of setting up a Devon event. MP's have been invited and hopefully they will attend. If they don't - we'll still meet as providers and feedback to our MP's on what we discussed. I'm going to be optimistic and hope for a good turn out. It's a good opportunity to speak from a wider platform by engaging with other providers and encouraging cross party debate by inviting all MP's in the county. I'd encourage others to consider similar events and to tie these in where possible with the Justice for All 'Day of Action'.
It may also be a good idea to set up some kind of event where you can meet with the public and perhaps local councilors. Anything which promotes awareness of legal aid can only be a good thing. Make the most of some of the material on Mylegal and Ilegal (print offs of the scale of the cuts and case studies for instance) to fortify the message on display boards at your event. Invite clients if at all possible to explain how they've been helped by legal aid.
Just whatever you do, so something to increase awareness as there's still a lot of misunderstanding over exactly what it is we do. In truth, it is tax payer's money and I guess there has never been a better time to tell people what it is we do for their money.
Justice for All have updated details on their site (On 6.05.11) of some the events happening on the day of action on 3 June details below. Do people know if Sound off for Justice are also involved? What are other people doing?
"Action heroes for justice gear up for 3 June Justice for all campaigners have set the wheels in motion for a packed Day of Action for justice. Imaginative and varied ways to promote the value of free legal advice are planned across the country on or around 3 June.
Seafront marches are taking place in Eastbourne and Hastings, leading to rallies with local MPs speaking. Petitions signed by hundreds from the local community will be handed to MPs in north Kent and Newham, where activists will also offer ‘street advice’ sessions together with fun activities for kids.
Public rallies are planned in London and Sheffield so far. Law students in London are also making plans for a street-based lobby on the day (despite their exams)!
MPs in Devon are invited to a confidential round-table event, to generate a detailed discussion on the impact of and alternatives to legal aid cuts. Read about a campaigner's journey in Devon to find out more!.
Many more will be lobbied in their constituencies. More activities are planned in Brighton, Coventry, Bristol, Plymouth at least.
What about your area? Let us know whatever action you’re planning – big or small – for the Day of Action. You can make contact with others taking action in your area, via campaign@justice-for-all.org.uk
Adapt these resources to your action and contact us for a campaign action pack, filled with Justice for All leaflets, posters and stickers."
Justice for All have confirmed in response to an e-mail request that Sound off for Justice are also being included in the day of protest against legal aid cuts happening on 3 June. Plans for the day are still being finalised. On J4A website they are also asking people to update them on their plans for the day.
Anyone had an update on events generally on 3 June-I think J4All were going to update people on what general events are going on but not heard anything and it is fast approaching-only 2 weeks from today? No publicity yet out from J4All or Sound off.
Post by Patrick Torsney on May 20, 2011 10:44:02 GMT
Don't they expect you to keep upto date with what's happening via their site? I know we've already had feedback that they are not into emailing members that often
I've just noticed a PowerPoint presentation they've put up about J4A - the slide with all the logos on looks pretty impressive
The site hasn't been updated for a while and doesn't have much in the way of specifics about 3 June. It's not going to be that an effective a day if nobody knows what's going on!
