Our local groups

We encourage anyone interested in joining YLAL to sign up as a member of the national organisation here and get involved in our campaigns, as you can make a real difference to our work this way, no matter where you live.

However we also believe in the importance of being able to meet and communicate with members who live nearby, whether you are working, studying or just interested in legal aid. If you want to get to know like-minded, passionate legal aid lawyers both current and aspiring, discuss issues in the sector and what you can do about them locally, contact the group nearest you and check out the meetings and events page for what’s on.

YLAL in London 

Meetings take place in London every month. They’re on the second Wednesday of the month from 6:30pm. The location varies, but we update our meetings page and email with details.

In our regular meetings, we host eminent speakers on areas of publicly funded work to give you an insight into their work and what it’s like to be a legal aid lawyer. We also host speakers to talk about interesting and impactful cases challenging recent changes in legal aid funding or areas of legal aid work. We hold some meetings in a workshop format, with smaller breakout groups to allow us to get your input and feedback on YLAL’s current areas of work. Annually, we host a ‘Welcome to Legal Aid’ session, to give you an introduction to legal aid, what it’s like working in the profession, and hints and tips on CVs, work experience, and progressing your career.

There is no local email list but you can reach us via ylalinfo@gmail.com or find us on Facebook and Twitter.

YLAL Midlands

YLAL holds meetings in Birmingham and in Nottingham, and would love to get more people involved.

For more information or to get involved, follow YLAL Midlands on facebook, and/or email ylalmidlands@gmail.com.

YLAL North

YLAL has members in across the north and holds regular meetings in Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and Sheffield, coordinated by national committee members Ciara Bartlam (in Manchester).

For more information or to get involved, follow YLAL North on Facebook and/or email ylalnorth@gmail.com. For Liverpool, follow YLAL Liverpool on Facebook and/or email liverpoolylal@gmail.com. For Leeds, follow YLAL Leeds on Facebook.

YLAL Scotland

We have YLAL members in Edinburgh and Glasgow who have had an informal meeting with the view to setting up a group and events in Scotland. Please let us know at ylalinfo@gmail.com if you would be interested in attending meetings in Scotland and also if you would be able to help organise venues, speakers etc

YLAL South West

YLAL South West is coordinated by a number of local solicitors, barristers and students, and YLAL committee member Emma Trevett, and holds meetings in Bristol.

For more information or to get involved, follow YLAL South West on Facebook and/or email ylalsouthwest@gmail.com.

YLAL Cymru

Mae YLAL Cymru yn cynnal digwyddiadau ar gyfer ein haelodau sy’n byw, gweithio, astudio, neu’n cefnogi ein gwaith yng Nghymru. Os oes gennych ddiddordeb mewn mynychu ein cyfarfodydd, cysylltu ag aelodau YLAL Cymru eraill, neu gefnogi ein gwaith mewn unrhyw ffordd arall, e-bostiwch ylalcymru@gmail.com. Gallwch gysylltu â ni drwy Gymraeg neu Saesneg.

YLAL Cymru puts on events for our members who live, work, study, or support our work in Wales. If you are interested in attending our meetings, connecting with other Welsh members, or supporting YLAL Cymru’s work in any other way, please email ylalcymru@gmail.com. You can contact us in Welsh or English.

Other local groups?

We recognise that many YLAL members will not be able to make meetings in any of the locations above.  If you would like to start a group elsewhere, please email us on ylalinfo@googlemail.com.