On 30th April, BID responded to an inquiry from parliament's Justice Committee on the impact of the April 2013 legal aid cuts. The Justice Committee published our evidence this week.
BID's response sets out evidence on the impact of the Legal Aid cuts on families where parents are detained and children are left in the community. 11 of the 47 parents in the research sample were removed or deported without their children. BID is gravely concerned that legal aid is no longer available to the vast majority of parents who wish to challenge their removal or deportation. In one case, a mother who has been subjected to domestic violence and speaks limited English was refused Exceptional Case Funding by the Legal Aid Agency. In another, an illiterate father represented himself in his deportation appeal in the Upper Tribunal, which was dismissed.
Downloads
BID response to Justice Select Committee Inquiry on impact of April 2013 legal aid cuts
