Welcome

Young Legal Aid Lawyers (YLAL) is a group of lawyers who are committed to practising in those areas of law, both criminal and civil, that have traditionally been publicly funded. YLAL members include students, paralegals, trainee solicitors, pupil barristers and qualified junior lawyers based throughout England and Wales. We believe that the provision of good quality publicly funded legal help is essential to protecting the interests of the vulnerable in society and upholding the rule of law.

YLAL’s objectives are:

• To campaign for a sustainable legal aid system which provides good quality legal help to those who could not otherwise afford to pay for it.

• To increase social mobility and diversity within the legal aid sector.

• To promote the interests of new entrants and junior lawyers and provide a network for likeminded people beginning their careers in the legal aid sector.

YLAL has a committee that steers our work. Members can play a full role in helping to achieve YLAL’s objectives by joining sub-groups that focus on a particular aim or task. We hold regular meetings each month in London and also in Sheffield so that members can discuss YLAL’s latest work. For those who can’t make the meetings, minutes are sent out shortly afterwards to keep members updated.

We work closely with other groups who share some or all of YLAL’s objectives. We do not wish to duplicate work or efforts made by such groups, but we believe it is crucial for junior lawyers working in (and wanting to work in) the legal aid sector to have their own voice. And that is what we aim to provide.

Non-members can also keep up-to-date with our work by following us on Twitter (@YLALawyers) or “liking” our Facebook page.

For more information about YLAL, what we do and how to join - click on the links in the left-hand menu.

NOTE: We do not provide legal services. If you require legal advice you may find the websites of Community Legal Advice (http://www.clsdirect.org.uk/) and the Law Society (http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/choosingandusing/findasolicitor.law) helpful.