Legal Aid

Legal Services Agency Northern Ireland

Website of the Legal Services Agency Northern Ireland (LSANI), an executive agency within the Department of Justice, which has responsibility for the administration of legal aid in Northern Ireland. There is information about the work of LSANI and members of the LSANI Board and guidance on accessing legal aid aimed at the public. The section aimed at the legal profession provides legislation, Department of Justice Directions and LSANI guidance. There is also guidance on using the digital Legal Aid Management System (LAMS).

Public Defender Service

The Public Defender Service (PDS) is a department of the Legal Aid Agency providing a range of criminal defence services including advice and representation at the police station or magistrates court through to advocacy in the higher courts. The PDS was established in 2001 as the first salaried criminal defence service in England and Wales and provides legal aided defence representation in all types of criminal cases.

LawWorks

Website of LawWorks, an independent charitable association of solicitors in England and Wales dedicated to pro bono (free) legal advice: 'LawWorks' is the operating name of the Solicitors' Pro Bono Group (SPBG). The site describes the background, role and purpose of the organisation and gives details of LawWorks' projects. These include clinics providing free legal advice sessions, mediation services and free legal services aimed at the voluntary sector.

Bar Pro Bono Unit

Website for the Bar Pro Bono Unit, which was established to provide free legal advice and representation to those who need it. The Unit helps to put solicitors, advice agencies and members of the public in touch with barristers volunteering to give free advice, client conferences and representation in cases meeting the Unit's criteria for support. The website describes the aims and work of the Unit, with information on the sort of help provided to individuals, community groups and charities.

Legal Aid Agency

The Legal Aid Agency is the body responsible for the administration of legal aid in England and Wales. The Agency gives means-tested financial help for people needing legal advice and administers legal aid for civil and criminal cases. There is guidance on how to apply for legal aid and information for service providers. The site has a list of current tenders and news items.

Govan Law Centre

Website of the Govan Law Centre (GLC) which provides free and low cost legal services for disadvantaged people in Scotland. The site has information about the GLC and its work (including a copy of their annual report) along with contact details for other law centres in Scotland. There is a selection of guides to common legal problems including consumer law, bankruptcy, debt, housing law and neighbour nuisance and a range of money advice resources covering mortgage repossession, benefits and small claims.

Brennan Center for Justice

The Brennan Center for Justice is based at the New York University, School of Law. The Center was established in 1995 in honour of Supreme Court Justice William Brennan and carries out education, research and litigation in the areas of "democracy, poverty and criminal justice". There are details of programmes being run at the Brennan Center. Resources include a blog, commentary on current issues, a clearinghouse of Brennan Center court cases and litigation, e-alerts, press releases and publications.

ScoLAG: Scottish Legal Action Group

Website of the Scottish Legal Action Group (ScoLAG), whose aim is "to promote equal access to justice in Scotland." The site provides a list of events organised by the group and access to the contents pages and selected sections from their monthly journal, ScoLAG Legal Journal. The free sections of the journal which appear in full in PDF format include the editorial, consultations, events and the web review articles which look at websites covering a particular theme. Issues are available on the website back to April 2000. The site also has a page of web links.

Legal Services Commission of South Australia

Official website of the South Australian Legal Services Commission (LSC) which was established in 1977 to increase access to justice by providing free legal advice and legal aid to people who cannot afford private legal representation. The website explains the role of the LSC and gives guidance to claiming legal aid including a downloadable application form (in PDF). There is also information on the Legal Advice Service, courses run by the LSC and a link to the online Law Handbook. A reference guide on applying for legal aid is provided for legal practitioners.

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