Hope for the future of free access to justice | We need new laws so that Windrush never happens again | We are finalists in the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year (LALY) Awards | May Day celebrations | TUC150 celebrations | Running together for free access to justice
Hope for the future of free access to justice
On Friday 20th April, GMLC hosted a panel on the topic of Legal Aid and the Future of Free Access to Justice.
Speakers included Richard Burgon, MP for Leeds East and Shadow Justice Secretary, Joe Mensah-Dankwah, Partner at Foresters Solicitors and board member of Black Solicitors Network, Siobhan Taylor-Ward, Young Legal Aid Lawyers Vice Chair and GMLC trainee solicitor, and Lord William Bach, Leicestershire Police and Crime Commissioner and chair of the Bach Commission. The evening was chaired by GMLC Development Worker Roz Burgin.
GMLC are pleased to announce the success of the event, which was well attended and included varied and insightful contributions from panel and audience members.
You can read more about the night here.
We do more than provide free legal advice and representation. We are a campaign for free access to justice. Please consider a donation to support our campaign. Click here.
We need new laws so that Windrush never happens again
Whilst we help those in difficulty in their individual cases, it is also vital to challenge wider immigration policy and the hostile environment.
Racism has always been used to divide and rule. Half a century of immigration laws in this country have reinforced this.
The scandal that has come to light affecting the Windrush generation is appalling. We should support all those both directly and indirectly affected.
This means more than providing legal services for individuals. “We can’t just scrabble to give advice to people queuing out the door. The focus needs to be on challenging legislation and the treatment of migrants as a whole” says GMLC employee Roz Burgin.
Read more here.
At our premises in Moss Side, we have been receiving dozens of inquiries from our local community worried about their immigration status. If you a commonwealth citizen affected by the current treatment of the Windrush generation, you can find more information here.
In brief
We are finalists in the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year (LALY) Awards
We are proud to announce that GMLC has been shortlisted for the Legal Aid Practitioners Group’s LALY Awards 2018 in the Legal Aid Firm/Not for Profit Agency category, sponsored by The Law Society.
After reading over 800 pages of nominations, the LALY judges met in London earlier this week to make their selections for the 2018 awards.
We feel honoured that yet again our amazing volunteers’ and staffs’ hard work has been acknowledged. Read more here
May Day celebrations
We had a great day on Sunday 29th April celebrating the Trades Union Congress’ 150th Anniversary at the May Day festival. Thanks to John McDonnell for his support, and to our volunteers Katrina, Ed, Dee, Emily and Lydia.
“This campaign is so important to secure access to free legal advice right the way across Greater Manchester. I fully support it”
– John McDonnell MP, Shadow Chancellor
TUC150 Celebrations
As the trade union movement celebrates is 150th birthday in the UK, we will be attending this conference on Friday 1st June to look back and the role and influence of the TUC on significant industrial, political and legal developments over the years.
Speakers are drawn from a range of backgrounds and will form 4 panels focusing on different aspects of trades unionism in the UK.
Find out more here.
Running together for free access to justice
There are many ways to support GMLC. We have a team taking part in the Great Manchester Run and they have been busy!
At the moment, Glynis is in the lead with her fundraising targets, with Kate at a close second. See how they’re getting on here!
Dates for your diary
- Monday 7th May – Salford May Day Rally
- Sunday 20th May – Great Manchester Run
- Friday 1st June – TUC150 Conference
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.
