Latest cuts… take action

Publicise the cuts – disseminate our one-page briefing

YLAL has produced a short explanatory note introducing the “Transforming Legal Aid” consultation and the key objections to the proposals, available to download here. Please share this document with your colleagues, friends and family who haven’t (yet) heard about the proposals. See this page for more information on the consultation.

Write to your MP

Write to or email your MP expressing your concerns. You can find their contact details here. We have prepared a template letter which is available for you to download and adapt. Alternatively you may wish to write a more personal letter based around the issues raised in our one-page briefing. Action that you could ask them to take includes:

§  Meet with you to discuss the proposals
§  Raise your concerns with the Ministry of Justice
§  Support the Early Day Motion speaking out against competitive tendering, lodged by Elfyn Llwyd MP
§  Be ready to pray against or support amendments to the secondary legislation by which these proposals will be implemented in Autumn 2013.

Sign the petition 

There are now over 46,500 signatures on this petition. Once the number reaches 100,000 there will be a debate in Parliament:

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/48628

Attend demos and meetings on the proposals

1. The Government’s Proposals on Legal Aid: The Client, the Lawyer and the Rule of Law – Town Hall Meeting: important public meeting on the cuts organised by the London School of Economics with the support of Matrix Chambers and chaired by Professor Conor Gearty, LSE. Please attend and invite others who may be interested; particularly non-lawyers and “people of influence”. The meeting is on Monday 20 May 2013 between 1830-2030 at the London School of Economics, Sheikh Zayed Theatre, New Academic Building. 

2. “Justice for Sale” demonstration – 22 May 10.30am, Old Palace Yard, SW1 (outside Parliament) – more details here