Skip to main content
Legal aid – happy birthday and goodbye?
Established today 70 years ago, legal aid has given the poor protection from the law – now it hangs in the balance, explains LUCY WOOD
Lady Justice

ON July 30 1949 the Legal Aid and Advice Act was passed, adding another pillar to the growing welfare state under Clement Attlee’s Labour government. However, like many public services, it is in crisis due to cuts in funding.

Criminal justice solicitor Lucy Osborn has specialised in criminal defence work for many years and spoke about her concern over what she described as a “broken” justice system.

“Everybody needs legal aid — it’s fundamental to our society and access to justice should be there for everyone. Sadly, that’s not the case. If you earn over £236 a week you are unlikely to receive legal aid in a magistrate’s court.”

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
Features / 6 July 2021
6 July 2021
LUCY WOOD reports from the Colchester protest against NHS cuts and privatisation last weekend
Features / 28 August 2020
28 August 2020
Starmer promised to ‘bring unity to the party’ – but social media stalking and harassment are rife without any action being taken, says LUCY WOOD
Within a day the group 'NHS Workers Say No to Public Sector
Features / 2 August 2020
2 August 2020
When the government’s public-sector pay rise snubbed many of the lowest-paid NHS workers, a single nurse decided to take action — and started a movement. LUCY WOOD tells the story
Features / 9 June 2020
9 June 2020
Lucy Wood talks to SOLMA AHMED about why she’s standing as a candidate for Forward Momentum’s national co-ordinating group for Midland and East Region
Similar stories
AN IMPERATIVE CALL: Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers pro
Features / 11 January 2025
11 January 2025
PROFESSOR ANSELM ELDERGILL suggests ways in which the government can boost legal aid and support
A person leaving HM Prison Liverpool, September 10, 2024
Features / 5 October 2024
5 October 2024
The government’s quick-fix solution to prison overcrowding is backfiring spectacularly, writes LUKE FLETCHER MS
EARLY RELEASES: Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, with pris
Features / 19 July 2024
19 July 2024
Action for justice is needed as there are currently 3,000 prisoners behind bars under ‘Imprisonment for Public Protection,’ even though this type of sentence was abolished in 2012, argues KIM JOHNSON MP