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Legal aid for unaccompanied child migrants will be reinstated after a five-year legal battle between the government and a leading children’s charity.
In a written ministerial statement, Justice Minister Lucy Frazer QC confirmed that legal aid would be extended to cover immigration matters for unaccompanied and separated children. The move followed a legal challenge and long-running campaign by The Children’s Society after the removal of public funding in the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO).
Frazer said her department had examined evidence presented as part of the case and data on funding applications.
‘Based on the distinct nature of the cohort in question, and of our data regarding them, I have decided to bring these cases into the scope of legal aid to ensure access to justice,’ she said.
Research by The Children’s Society in 2015 suggested thousands of children had been denied access to the law since LASPO came into force, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and homelessness.
The Children’s Society Chief Executive, Matthew Reed said: ‘This is an important change in policy which will go a long way to protecting some of the most marginalised and vulnerable young people in our communities.’
He said legal aid was an ‘absolute lifeline’ for children who are subject to immigration control and who are in this country on their own.
Legal aid for unaccompanied child migrants will be reinstated after a five-year legal battle between the government and a leading children’s charity.
In a written ministerial statement, Justice Minister Lucy Frazer QC confirmed that legal aid would be extended to cover immigration matters for unaccompanied and separated children. The move followed a legal challenge and long-running campaign by The Children’s Society after the removal of public funding in the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO).
Frazer said her department had examined evidence presented as part of the case and data on funding applications.
‘Based on the distinct nature of the cohort in question, and of our data regarding them, I have decided to bring these cases into the scope of legal aid to ensure access to justice,’ she said.
Research by The Children’s Society in 2015 suggested thousands of children had been denied access to the law since LASPO came into force, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and homelessness.
The Children’s Society Chief Executive, Matthew Reed said: ‘This is an important change in policy which will go a long way to protecting some of the most marginalised and vulnerable young people in our communities.’
He said legal aid was an ‘absolute lifeline’ for children who are subject to immigration control and who are in this country on their own.
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
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
The client’s best interests could be well-served by sharing the advocacy with junior counsel more often than you might think – Naomi Cunningham and Charlotte Eves explore some less orthodox ways to divide the speaking role
