Impact of Legal Aid Changes

There has been a lot of talk across the UK legal sector recently about the legal aid changes that have now come into force. As part of their cost saving strategy, the government is aiming to significantly reduce the amount spent on legal aid each year. Their target is to reduce the previous figure of around £2.2 billion a year by £350 million.

The government’s stated aim is to safeguard legal aid for those who really need it by ensuring there isn’t wastage elsewhere. They have therefore made reforms to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act (LASPO).

There will be a number of areas of law that will be hit the most, namely family law, employment law, clinical negligence law and immigration law. Those going through divorce or separation are no longer able to claim legal aid in most cases. This includes separations that impact children, something that has been highly criticised. Those taking legal action against a former employer, for example those claiming unfair dismissal, will also be impacted. An area of law which is often referred to when discussing wastage is negligence and these changes will make it more difficult for many to gain compensation in situations of clinical negligence. Another area where there will be an impact is immigration where a person is not detained.

There will be some areas where legal aid will still be available within family law and immigration law. Some involved in family law cases where domestic violence can be proven, child abduction has occurred or someone has been forced into marriage will still be entitled to legal aid. It will also still be available in asylum cases.

There are fears amongst many in the legal sector that these cuts could have a major negative impact on certain areas of law. According to the Guardian, research has suggested that 25 percent of lawyers and advisors fear the knock-on effect will lose them their jobs. Another concern is that many will be unable to afford good legal advice and will take the law into their own hands as a result; that more people will attempt to represent themselves.

A general consensus is that vulnerable people will suffer, with some claiming it is an attack on the poor. While wealthier members of society will always be able to afford legal representation, some cannot, and this could mean that those without the necessary funds will not be able to carry out justifiable legal action in certain circumstances. For example, those impacted by medical negligence might not be able to begin proceedings for compensation which they may be fully entitled to. There has clearly been wastage in this sector, and it is right that this is looked at, but the danger is that it will lead to people not getting the compensation they are entitled to. These changes could lead to people remaining in unhappy marriages, and children remaining in unhappy households, as divorce becomes unaffordable to some. There are suggestions that there will be instances where one party in a separation will be able to afford legal representation while the other will not be able to, meaning the wealthier party is more likely to come out of a divorce better placed.

There certainly is the opportunity to save costs within the legal sector, but is ending legal aid in certain legal sectors really the best way of saving money? When looking to save on costs it is difficult to get the balance right. The reality is that money can be saved in legal aid and there are circumstances where legal aid isn’t required. Rather than targeting whole areas of legislation, though, would it not make more sense to reduce the amount people are entitled to or the number of people who qualify? For example, the threshold of those who can receive financial assistance could be changed. It is important to support those who need it, while not using tax payer’s money unnecessarily. If the government is attempting to safeguard legal aid for those who really need it, why are they taking its availability completely away from certain sectors?   

Andrew Marshall ©

Home Improvement Trends

The housing market is slow at the moment, making it difficult for some to sell their home, or at least at a price that they would be willing to sell at. Partly due to this, there has been an increasing trend in the numbers making home improvements instead. Rather than moving to an “improved home”, they are improving the one that they already live in. So, what are some of the current home improvement trends?

More people appear to be keen on adding character to their home. In recent years having a home that appears to have “more character” is something that has been deemed more attractive. There are many things that can be done to achieve this, with changes to doors and windows amongst the most popular. Some are brightening doorways to make them more attractive, while adding shutters to windows is a popular addition. These, along with many other alterations, are small changes that can make a big difference to the appearance of a home. Other examples that are fashionable at the moment are changes to lighting fixtures, decorations and doing something different with house numbers.

Outdoor living space is something that is often talked about with regards to home improvement. This isn’t just in reference to doing the garden up though, but creating (or improving) the outdoor living space; that is to say outdoor seating areas and outdoor eating areas so the living room and the dining room can be brought outside during the summer. People like to live a more Mediterranean lifestyle. Despite the rainy summers we’ve had in Britain of late, we enjoy living a more outdoor lifestyle when we can these days. Having somewhere to entertain, or simply relax, is something more of us want.

Colour-wise, white is particularly popular right now. This neutral colour is often preferred, whether it is white walls or white fixtures. White kitchens are a particularly good example of this. The popularity of white is not reflected in soft furnishings, though. Here, colourful furnishing, often with stripes and patterns, are seen as more trendy.

A trend that can be particularly put down to the current housing market is extending the size of a home, with loft extensions common right now. In many cases moving to a larger home may not be realistic, but increasing the size of their current home is possible for some. It is a big job, and not inexpensive, but it is almost guaranteed to increase the value of a home. Typically an extra bedroom and bathroom, or an en-suite bedroom, can be added to a home, turning a three bedroom house into a four bedroom house, for example.

Modern kitchens can add significant value to a home, and be significantly more pleasant to use. There has, therefore, been a rise in the number of people modernising their kitchens. While some are making small changes, others are having theirs completely remodelled. Island units and bold splashbacks are two things that are fashionable at the moment.

Andrew Marshall ©