43 Organisations Collectively Call For Reform Of The Civil Legal Aid System

Its to ensure equality of access for marginalised and vulnerable people.

43 advocates and non-government organisations are calling for reform of the civil legal aid system.

The groups, in writing to Minister for Justice, Heather Humphrey, says the  "common thread among all of these diverse communities is the experience of unmet legal need that is not addressed through the current civil legal aid system in Ireland.

43 NGOs and advocates join FLAC’s call on Justice Minister to ensure Ireland’s vulnerable and marginalised individuals, families and communities can access Civil Legal Aid

Read our statement at https://t.co/cCYUKoL0v2 pic.twitter.com/XVXyYUbFcy

— FLAC (@flacireland) July 29, 2021

The letter outlines  four main asks in relation to the review of the civil legal aid system planned for Q3 of 2021 by the Dept of Justice.

The signatories believe that the review must"

• Be a root and branch review that is comprehensive in scope and map unmet legal need. It must explore the functions of the Legal Aid Board, including functions such as the provision of information, advocacy, education and research; the eligibility criteria for legal aid, including the means test, and financial contributions, the areas of law covered – discrimination, domestic violence, housing, sexual harassment; and the methods of service delivery, such as community law centres, targeted/specialised legal services for disadvantaged groups and individuals.
• Be an independent review chaired by a person of status, such as a judge with an interest in access to justice, such as the original Pringle Committee.
• Have at its centre the voices of those who experience unmet legal need and involve key stakeholders, including external groups and NGOS who provide legal and other services to people in poverty and disadvantage. Such as FLAC, and members of the Irish Law Centres Network(ILCN), the Legal Aid Board; statutory bodies such as IHREC, the Citizens Information Board and the National Disability Authority; relevant NGOs, academics and people who are familiar with the needs of lay litigants and representatives of the profession.
• Measure the civil legal aid system against international standards and compliance with the State’s obligations under national and international human rights law."

Eilís Barry is Chief Executive of FLAC.

He joined Clem Ryan on Thursday's edition of Kildare Today

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