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Justice Secretary calls for limited access to Legal Aid for migrants (22 April 2014)

Date: 22/04/2014
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, Justice Secretary calls for limited access to Legal Aid for migrants

Justice Secretary Chris Grayling has warned that migrants to the UK must not use the Legal Aid Agency to fight cases through the British courts.

Writing in The Telegraph Mr Grayling said that foreigners who come to the UK and use the Legal Aid Agency to fund court cases risk bringing the system into disrepute.

Mr Grayling has also attacked a “small group” of law firms and pressure groups who fight cases for overseas clients and migrants using the Legal Aid system.

The Justice Secretary accused law firms of “profiting” from court cases intended to overturn government decisions. Mr Grayling said that some law firms “make a healthy living by finding more and more varied ways to challenge government in court – and getting you [the taxpayer] to pay the bill.”

Mr Grayling also called society in the UK “too legalistic” ? and added there were too many individuals and groups who mounted court cases to further their own interests.

The Justice Secretary has vowed that if the Conservative Party is returned to government after the 2015 General Election, he will reinstate the Supreme Court in the UK as the highest court in Britain. The European Convention on Human Rights is currently able to overturn decisions made in the Appeal Court, which in some cases has meant the Home Office has not been able to deport convicted criminals from the UK if deportation might result in a breach of their human rights.

Mr Grayling has also recently been criticised for cuts to the Legal Aid budget, which have potentially affected the income of barristers, as well as access to Legal Aid to take legal action in the Family Division or in housing cases.

UN rapporteur on violence against women Rashida Manjoo last week criticised the government’s cuts to Legal Aid which affect women.

The government is proposing to restrict access to Legal Aid to individuals who have been resident in the UK for at least a year. The Criminal Justice and Courts Bill will also restrict funding for costly judicial reviews of cases, which Mr Grayling says is necessary to save taxpayers’ money and prevent pressure groups, lobbyists and businesses “using the system inappropriately”.

In recent months, members of the Criminal Bar have staged half-day strikes in protest at Legal Aid cuts. The cuts could mean some cases are handled by more junior barristers commanding lower fees than experienced barristers with specialist expertise in that area of law.

Campaigners says that the effect of slashing Legal Aid budgets and access to public funding for some cases could mean individuals are denied access to justice.

Duncan Lewis Legal Aid Solicitors ? Immigration and Asylum

Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of Legal Aid solicitors and one of the main providers of Legal Aid services in the UK.

Duncan Lewis can advise on areas of law which include Family, Housing, Mental Health, Crime and Personal Injury? as well as Immigration law and asylum in the UK.

For expert advice on Legal Aid funding for your case ? including immigration and asylum in the UK ? contact Duncan Lewis Legal Aid Solicitors on 020 7923 4020.

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