Education drive could teach prisoners and school children how to protect their legal rights
Learning about rights could be key tool in fighting crime, violence and people trafficking, says government minister
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Your support makes all the difference.Prison inmates, school children and homeless people could be among groups taught how to better protect their own rights under plans for an expansion in public legal education called for by a government minister.
Solicitor General Robert Buckland will set out how he believes that people having a better understanding of their rights could also be a key tool in fighting hate crime, domestic violence and people trafficking.
He was to make the comments in a speech following the opening meeting of a new Public Legal Education Panel, which ministers believe may help ‘democratise’ the legal system – tipping the balance of power away from lawyers and towards the public.
The panel, chaired by Mr Buckland, is considering how best to increase people’s familiarity of the law, giving people knowledge to help them appreciate when their rights have been infringed.
Mr Buckland was to say: “Public Legal Education provides people with awareness, knowledge and understanding of their rights and the rights of other citizens.
“This builds the confidence and skills they need to deal with disputes and ensuring everyone has access to justice.”
The panel will provide a forum for the Government to consult with key bodies to explore new ways to teach people about how the law affects them, in a bid to ‘democratise’ the legal system.
Ideas could include presentations, mock trials and role play exercises, awareness raising campaigns or information in leaflets – which can be tailored to different groups, from school pupils to prison inmates or homeless people.
Mr Buckland will also say that teaching people more about their legal rights and responsibilities could be a key tool in making people more aware when they have suffered a crime.
He will add: “Victims should not feel that they have to suffer in silence, but should have the courage to come forward and report.
“In order to do that, in order to stamp out hate crime, they need to understand their rights. This includes recognising that an offence has occurred and knowing who to report it to. This includes knowing how to access help and support.
“Domestic Violence is another instance where – for an effective response from society – victims and their loved ones need to know what their legal options are and who to reach out to.”
The Government has been severely criticised for cuts to legal aid, with opponents warning the new drive for Public Legal Education cannot replace proper legal advice.
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