PLP has signed an open letter to the Minister for Legal Aid expressing concern at the methodology for the long-awaited Post-Implementation Review of the LASPO reforms to legal aid. Neither PLP nor any of the other civil society signatories to the letter has been invited to join any of the four consultative groups established by…
We are very sorry to hear of the untimely death of Sir Paul Jenkins. Paul had joined PLP as a patron recently, bringing with him an unparalleled experience of civil service and a valued new perspective. He was widely known for his wit, judgment and good humour. These and other attributes were evidenced in his contribution to our 2017 London conference, in a debut appearance…
How will legal aid now be made available in discrimination and education cases? It is the Lord Chancellor’s duty to secure it The Public Law Project has long had concerns that, far from ensuring the efficient provision of legal advice, the mandatory telephone gateway is a barrier to access to justice. This was the conclusion…
The staff, trustees and remaining patrons of the Public Law Project are very sad to hear of Sir Henry Brooke’s passing. He was a unique figure in the legal profession. Jo Hickman, PLP’s Director said: ‘Henry was a principled, inspirational, kind man. We will miss him terribly. Our thoughts are with Biddy and his family.’ Sir Henry posted,…
In December 2017, RF, represented by the Public Law Project, persuaded the High Court to quash the PIP 2017 Regulations on the grounds that they were manifestly unreasonable, discriminated unfairly and because they were ‘game changers’ that should have been consulted on. The court was also persuaded that the Regulations infringed the UN Convention of…
The High Court has found that part of the rules governing Personal Independence Payments (PIPs) are unlawful and discriminate against people with mental health impairments. The full judgment can be read here. The Public Law Project’s client, RF, had all three grounds of her case accepted by the Court (RF v Secretary of State for Work…
The University of Exeter held its official launch for a new immigration advice clinic on 7 December 2017. The launch was attended by Dr Joe Tomlinson, Research Director at PLP, and Emma Marshall, a PhD researcher at the University of Exeter who is currently seconded to PLP. As part of her placement at PLP, Emma…
The two day hearing in RF v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions commences tomorrow, Tuesday 12 December, in the High Court. PLP’s client, RF, contends that the way people experiencing psychological distress are treated by new Personal Independence Payment (PIP) rules is unfair and discriminatory. PIP was introduced in 2013 as a replacement for the…
Today is Human Rights Day. Public Law Project has joined The British Institute of Human Rights, and 140+ other organisations, to call on the Prime Minister to safeguard our human rights today, during and after Brexit. You can see the letter here. The letter reads: ‘We face great constitutional change and uncertainty as the government seeks…
PLP is delighted to learn that the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) is to lift restrictions on legal aid to survivors of domestic abuse. Large numbers of those involved in Family Court proceedings, where they were often forced face their abusers, will now receive advice and representation. It will lift time limits on evidence of abuse…
PLP’s strategic partnership with the Lankelly Chase Foundation is now under way. The purpose of the partnership is to provide support, training and advice to Lankelly Chase grant-holders, with a view to tackling deep-rooted social injustice. There is more about the project and our partners at the project page. We have appointed Lisa Vanhala and Jacqui Kinghan,…
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and Mind have been granted permission to intervene in support of a High Court case brought by our client, RF. RF’s case concerns rules introduced by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) in February 2017. The new rules mean it is much harder for those with severe…