Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

NO-HEADLINE

Patricia Wynn Davies
Thursday 12 September 1996 19:02 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Advice agencies could boycott the Lord Chancellor's White Paper on legal aid reform, in protest at having to charge or means-test their clients, the Government was warned yesterday. The prediction, from Steve Johnson, director of the Federation of Independent Advice Centres came as it joined with nine other legal and charitable organisations to issue a joint statement opposing the plans.

The organisations - the Law Society, the Advice Services Alliance, the Law Centres Federation, the Federation of Independent Advice Centres, Liberty, Justice, the Child Poverty Action Group, Shelter, the Public Law Project and the Legal Action Group - said the plans would do nothing to improve individuals' access to justice but would deter many ordinary people from pursuing or defending their legal rights. The capping of aid spending for the first time and the introduction of heavier liabilities to pay contributions and opponents' costs are at the heart of the changes set out by Lord Mackay of Clashfern.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in