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Protesters outside the Camden Law Centre on Monday night when they held a candle-lit vigil |
Legal rights are not just for the wealthy
Community law centres are vital in protecting the poor and disadvantaged, writes Robert Latham
IF Camden Council goes ahead with its proposals to cut services like the Camden Law Centre, it will be one of the most foolhardy decisions that the Lib Dem/Tory administration could take.
Law centres and advice agencies are fundamental to a proper welfare state. The idea of providing free access to legal advice was first raised in a report in the 1940s as part of the foundation of the welfare state. Law centres were established later to meet the needs of the poor and disadvantaged.
It is the mark of a mature democracy that the government (central and local) ensures that funding is available to help individuals who cannot pay for their own advice and assistance. Otherwise legal rights become a pastime of the super-rich rather than an essential tool for all citizens.
Attacks on fundamental rights by the government have been rightly criticised by the Lib Dems. Now that they are in power locally, the rhetoric of rights is still there but there is just no action or political will to make them meaningful.
I have always believed that robust challenge makes for good governance and Camden residents have a proud history of shouting when they think things have gone wrong. A vibrant advice sector is an essential to help challenge those in authority.
Last year, Camden Law Centre assisted more than 1,500 individuals in housing alone – many of them with complaints against the council. Where can these people turn to now?
Law centres don’t just help people in need, they work towards combatting deprivation and fight against the barriers which cause people to be excluded.
Law centres even save money for the council by making sure that residents get the benefits that they need and do not end up even more dependant on the council.
This also means that law centres do not just help in individual cases but they help challenge policy. Last year for example, the Camden Law Centre and tenants made representations about the housing strategy which was subsequently amended.
Without the Law Centre, residents would have been required to go through the effects of changes in policy or regulations alone.
The ironic thing is that there is an increased emphasis on better partnership working. The whole legal aid system run by the government is currently under review and there is greater emphasis on community-based law centres rather than private profit law firms.
Whilst these proposals are under consultation and have huge challenges and implications, it seems ludicrous that a decision is being taken without the wider picture being clarified.
It is certainly possible that in future more money might be allocated to law centres by the Legal Services Commission. It will not do so merely to plug a shortfall in funding created by the council. It is probable that any rushed decision, will risk future investment in Camden.
There has been no confirmation as to where clients can go for advice and assistance if the Law Centre closes due to a lack of funds.
Consider that as a result of this decision, if you have a dispute with your employer, you may not be able to get any advice in the Camden Town or Kentish Town area. In an age where job security is a key issue, the council is going to remove some of the few specialist advisers in the borough.
We have not been told how the money saved will be spent or what alternative help will be provided for the poorest and most deprived in the borough. It is clear the value of law centres cannot be underestimated.
The last Royal Commission into legal services concluded: “The impact of law centres has been out of all proportion to their size, the number of lawyers working in them and to the amount of work it is possible for them to undertake. The volume of work they have attracted has shown how deep the need is that they are attempting to meet”
It is not too late – the council can reconsider these proposals and safeguard the very best of services for Camden.
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