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The Bar Council has joined forces with the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives and the Law Society to set up a working group to examine the viability of a Contingent Legal Aid Fund (CLAF).
A CLAF is a recyclable, pooled fund that is financed by money derived from the damages recovered in successful civil cases where the client was supported by the fund.
Once up and running, a CLAF would fund litigation for those who lack the resources to do so and do not qualify for legal aid.
Chaired by Justin Fenwick QC, the group will examine how a viable CLAF could be established and the legal and procedural rules required.
It aims to produce an initial report by the end of September and a final report before the end of the year.
Bar chairman, Chantal-Aimee Doerries QC said: ‘I am very pleased that the three professional bodies have agreed to investigate the viability of a CLAF.’
The Bar Council has examined it as a possible alternative source of funding civil justice over many years, publishing reports on the issue in 1998 and 2011.
Since then, Doerries said, the civil justice landscape has ‘changed considerably’ due to the cuts implemented by the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012.
‘It is therefore timely to re-examine the feasibility of an independent, not-for-profit CLAF established by the legal profession, in the public interest, to promote access to justice,’ she added.
The Bar Council has joined forces with the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives and the Law Society to set up a working group to examine the viability of a Contingent Legal Aid Fund (CLAF).
A CLAF is a recyclable, pooled fund that is financed by money derived from the damages recovered in successful civil cases where the client was supported by the fund.
Once up and running, a CLAF would fund litigation for those who lack the resources to do so and do not qualify for legal aid.
Chaired by Justin Fenwick QC, the group will examine how a viable CLAF could be established and the legal and procedural rules required.
It aims to produce an initial report by the end of September and a final report before the end of the year.
Bar chairman, Chantal-Aimee Doerries QC said: ‘I am very pleased that the three professional bodies have agreed to investigate the viability of a CLAF.’
The Bar Council has examined it as a possible alternative source of funding civil justice over many years, publishing reports on the issue in 1998 and 2011.
Since then, Doerries said, the civil justice landscape has ‘changed considerably’ due to the cuts implemented by the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012.
‘It is therefore timely to re-examine the feasibility of an independent, not-for-profit CLAF established by the legal profession, in the public interest, to promote access to justice,’ she added.
Far-ranging month for the Chair of the Bar
Endometriosis Awareness North, a charity raising awareness of endometriosis and supporting those affected across the North of England, has received a £500 boost from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, examines the most recent data on alcohol misuse in the UK, and the implications for alcohol testing in family proceedings
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how tailored financial planning can help barristers take control of their finances and plan with confidence
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
A £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs has been made to the leading UK charity tackling international parental child abduction and the movement of children across international borders
Seeing the full picture – Baljit Ubhey OBE outlines the CPS action plan to tackle violence against women and girls, offering insights directly relevant to courtroom practice
Heritage as an anchor and a compass, finding our common humanity and embracing the power of the outsider – Melina Antoniadis’s lessons learnt
Is the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office process fit for purpose? Women barristers’ experiences of bullying are not being reported or, if they are, they are not making it through the system, says Tana Adkin KC
Review by Daniel Barnett
Chair of the Bar reports back
