LEGAL AID

The TSG recognises that legal aid is an important and, in fact, essential service provided by solicitors.  The TSG is firmly of the belief that without access to justice, society will be unable to function correctly.

With this in mind, the TSG supports legal aid lawyers as much as possible. 

There are specific reforms at the moment of the legal aid scheme in this country.  These reforms are known as ther Carter reforms. The impact that these reforms will have on legal aid practice is not yet known, and consultation continues.  However, it is clear that the reform will take place. 

This means that at the moment, there is great uncertainty in legal aid, and it may be difficult for TSG members who aspire to follow their career in this way and down this route.  The TSG notes that one possible impact of the reforms is that the number of training contract places for legal aid lawyers may decrease.  The obvious result of this could be that there is eventually a shortage of legal aid lawyers.  There is no definite indication of whether this will be the effect of the Carter reforms, and the TSG recommend that any of its members wanting to practice this kind of law take advice before embarking on preparing applications.

The TSG would like to take this opportunity to indicate to its members who wish to practice in the legal aid field that it will continue to support them and look out for their interests.  Should they require any assistance, please contact the TSG Helpline on 08000 856 131 or email helpline@tsg.org.

The Legal Aid practitioners' group

The Legal Aid Practitioners' Group (LAPG) is a Group which has been set up to support the interests of those working in the legal aid sector.

In the light of the Carter proposals, it has never been more critical for the profession to come together to ensure that its voice is heard clearly by Government. The LAPG presents the profession's view to the Government, from those who currently practice legal aid.  The group also provdes training and support to legal aid solicitors.  the it essentially the equivalent of the TSG for full-time employed solicitors.

The TSG supports the LAPG each year in running student/trainee sessions at its conference.  This year's conference was held in Cardiff.  Further information can be found online.  Please click HERE.

The LAPG itself can be found at www.lapg.org, should you require any further information.

Young legal aid lawyers

Running alongside the LAPG, in a situation similar to that of the Law Society and the TSG, is the Young Lawyers Aid Lawyers (YLAL).

YLAL are a group of lawyers who are committed to practising in those areas of law, both criminal and civil, that have traditionally been publicly funded. The group includes those who are still studying and training as well as recently qualified barristers and solicitors.

If you are considering pursuing a career in legal aid, we would highly recommend that you join this organisation.  Membership is free and open to all those concerned with or committed to legal aid up to 10 years qualification or call.

Please visit www.younglegalaidlawyers.org for more information.