Rally for Legal Aid

Join Southall Black Sisters on 30th July to mark 64 years of legal aid – an event organised by the Justice Alliance of which we are members.

Our intention is to celebrate the wonderful and necessary establishment of the legal aid system and to protest against government’s plans to dismantle it and by doing so deny justice to the most vulnerable people in our society. Let’s make this celebration count and make the loudest noise possible to save our legal aid system and demand the right for the poorest and most vulnerable people in our society the right to equal access to justice.

The Government’s proposals on legal aid will have a devastating effect on those who cannot afford to pay. For instance, the right to choose your own solicitor in criminal proceedings will be severely limited and specialist legal defence services will be eroded. In addition, access to legal advice and representation will be limited to those who can show they are habitually resident in the UK for at least 12 months. SBS is particularly concerned that victims of domestic violence, trafficking and young children will be denied access to justice by the residence test. Legal aid cuts will also leave prisoners unable to challenge ill-treatment and other vulnerable people will not be able to challenge decision making by public authorities that impact on their fundamental human rights.

Legal aid was introduced in 1949 and is now a cornerstone of our democratic tradition and the rule of law. It is a vital part of the UK justice system and was once the envy of the world. Join us on 30th July to celebrate and protest against cuts to legal aid.

Rally for Legal Aid London

Tuesday 30 July
4.30pm–6.30pm at the Old Bailey

EC4M 7EH (nearest tube St Pauls)

Speakers include:
Shami Chakrabarti; Raphael Rowe (M25 three); Anne Hallmother of Daniel Roque Hall (a disabled ex-prisoner); Sally (mother of a rape victim); Shauneen Lambe (Just For Kids Law); Tom Robinson

Download leaflet

Rally for Legal Aid Manchester

Tuesday 30th July
5pm at Manchester Crown Court

Speakers include:
John Nicholson, Mark George QC and a statement from Michael Mansfield QC

Download leaflet

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