Have you got your tickets for 20th April? | We demand: No Universal Credit evictions | We are hiring: Part time position for a Finance Officer | Why are barristers on strike? | Our new scheme with law students
Have you got your tickets for 20th April?
Legal Aid and the Future of Free Access to Justice: An event by the Greater Manchester Law Centre with Lord Bach, Shadow Justice Secretary Richard Burgon, Young Legal Aid Lawyers Vice-Chair Siobhán Taylor-Ward and Joe Mensah-Dankwah of Black Solicitors Network.
Book your tickets now! Click here.
Join us on 20th April as we discuss the current state of Legal Aid, the impact of the political changes, the challenges faced by the next generation of social welfare lawyers and our hope for the future.
Tickets are in high demand so we encourage you to book now to avoid disappointment.
Friday 20th April 2018, 18:00-20:00.
With thanks to the University of Law for their venue just off Piccadilly Gardens: 2 New York St, Manchester M1 4HJ.
Everyone welcome: lawyers, campaigners, students and everyone else interested in access to justice.
Join the facebook event here.
Book your tickets now! Click here.
We demand: No Universal Credit evictions
GMLC, Disabled People Against the Cuts and Acorn tenants’ union have jointly issued a campaign demand: no one should face eviction as a result of delays to Universal Credit payments.
Universal Credit is a new system that will merge many types of benefits into one single payment. It has faced harsh and high-profile criticism, particularly for its effect on housing rights, evictions and homelessness.
In October 2017, we declared our refusal to be complicit in the Universal Credit roll-out, saying: “if Universal Credit is so convoluted and ineffective that voluntary sector organisations are relied upon, then it should not be implemented at all”. In March 2018, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham committed to join Acorn’s campaign against Universal Credit-based evictions.
Disabled People Against the Cuts (DPAC) are keen to point out that delayed payments are only one of many problems with Universal Credit. For example, “anyone who is not comfortable with a digital-by-default system is excluded, thus it is inaccessible and discriminatory”.
Read the full campaign statement here.
In brief
We are hiring: Finance Officer – part time
We are seeking to recruit a flexible and experienced finance worker, willing to learn how to administer a Legal Aid Contract.
Salary: £18,870 pa (pro rata) – 21 hours per week. Holidays: 28 days per year (pro rata). There is some flexibility about how the hours are spread through the week.
The post will be based over two sites, Moss Side and Crumpsall, working with two affiliated organisations.
The closing date for applications is Wednesday 18th April 2018 at 12 noon.
Interviews be on Monday 23rd April 2018.
For an informal chat, email info@gmlaw.org.uk with telephone number and someone will call you back.
Please go to our Vacancies page for the application pack and further details.
Why are barristers on strike?
“We have to act. We are the only ones that can make this government sit up and listen. They will try to rely on our good nature and the criticism that will come to us for stopping working. We work for nothing all the time.” – Miranda Moore QC
Criminal barristers in England and Wales have voted to stage mass walkouts and refuse new publicly funded cases, in protest against cuts and changes to the Legal Aid regime. Read more and watch the interview here.
Our new scheme with Law Students
Under our new partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) and Pro Bono Community (PBC), 16 law students will assist our clients in applying for disability benefits. All of these students have successfully completed comprehensive training in welfare benefits law from PBC as well as our own training.
We are committed to supporting the next generation of social welfare lawyers. This scheme will benefit both the public and the law students who gain invaluable experience. Find out more here.
Dates for your diary
- 28/03/2018 – Black Lawyers Matter Access Day
- 20/04/2018 – With Lord Bach: Legal Aid and the Future of Free Access to Justice
- 20/05/2018 – GMLC Fundraising: Greater Manchester Run
4 things you can do to help Greater Manchester Law Centre
- You can donate and/or set up a standing order to help fund our key legal services
- Get involved by either volunteering, becoming a member, a supporter, or if you are an organisation, you can affiliate with us. Go to the Get involved tab on the home page.
- For those of you on Twitter, #whyweneedGMLawCentre or #FreeAccesstoJustice and tell us why GMLC is so important.
- Ask for a letter of support from your local councillor/MP/community organisation/trade union branch and send it in to us.
