As part of our objective to develop a 'policy voice' for pro bono, LawWorks are contributing to events and debates at the Liberal Democrat, Labour and Conservative party conferences.
The events at the Labour and Conservative conferences are being held outside the secure zones and are open to all.
Liberal Democrat Party Conference
September 17th 1.00pm -2.00pm
Panel discussion: ‘The Future of Legal Aid – how can access to justice be restored?’
Hosted by: Rights-Liberties-Justice (Lib Dem Lawyers Association) and JUSTICE
Venue: Meeting Room 1 A, Brighton Conference Centre.
James Sandbach, LawWorks Director of Policy & External Affairs, will be joining a panel discussion organised by the Liberal Democrat Lawyers Association.
Other panellists will include: Lord Marks QC, Parliamentary Spokesperson for Justice; Andrea Coomber, Director of JUSTICE, and Criminal Defence Barrister Anthony Hook.
James will also be chairing the Law Society’s evening fringe event at the conference on the impact of Brexit on the Justice system. It will include: Jessica Simor QC, Baroness Sarah Ludford, and Law Society Deputy vice-President David Greene.
Labour Party Conference
September 24th 9.00am-11.00am
'The Access to Justice Fringe'
Hosted by: LawWorks, Liverpool University Law School and Liverpool Law Society
Venue: The Women’s organisation, 54 St James Street, Liverpool, L1 0AB
James Sandbach, LawWorks Director of Policy & External Affairs, will be chairing 'The Access to Justice Fringe'; event which includes: Lord Bach, talking about the Fabian Society “Right to Justice” (Bach Commission) report one year on.
Other contributors include: Lucy Yeatman, solicitor, who runs Liverpool University’s Law Clinic; Dr Jennifer Sigafoos and Dr James Organ from Liverpool University Law School who have researched the impact of legal aid reforms (commissioned by the Equality and Human Rights Commission); and Steve Hynes, Director of the Legal Action Group. The event will also be attended by a shadow Justice Minister.
Conservative Party Conference
October 2nd – 5.00pm -6.00pm
'Rethinking access to justice – risks and opportunities from the Ministry of Justice’s Legal Aid (LASPO) review'
Hosted by: The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Pro Bono and Public Legal Education, with the APPG on Legal Aid.
Venue: Irwin Mitchell LLP. Imperial House 31 Temple Street, Birmingham B2 5DB.
Supported by LawWorks, the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Pro Bono and Public Legal Education and the APPG on Legal Aid, LawWorks are hosting the event with Justice Minister Lucy Frazer MP QC.
Chaired by Alex Chalk MP, the discussion panel will also include Justice Select Committee Chair Bob Neill MP, James Sandbach Director of Policy, LawWorks, Carol Storer, Director of the Legal Aid Practitioners Group (LAPG), and Oliver Carter from Irwin Mitchell who Chairs Young Legal Aid Lawyers.
*LawWorks provide the Secretariat to the APPG on Pro Bono and Public Legal Education