Don't Panic Training Handout
29th September 2009
The handout for RLC's successful "Don't Panic" training event on mortgage repossession cases is now available to download from this website under the training section.
You may need to try different view options in Microsoft Word in order to achieve a complete image.
RLC Visit to Parliament
24th September 2009
On 24 September 2009 a delegation of staff, directors and volunteers of Renfrewshire Law Centre took part in a visit to the Scottish Parliament by invitation of Hugh Henry MSP. This was a very worthwhile experience for all. As well as spectating on First Minister's Question Time, we had the benefit of a guided tour courtersy of Paul Thompson, Parliamentary Assistant for Hugh Henry, and the opportunity to meet local Renfrewshire MSP's, including Hugh Henry, Wendy Alexander and Trish Godman, when we were able to discuss matters of concern to the local community with them.
Here are some ...
Training Handouts, Recent Uploads
22nd September 2009
Please check out the training handouts on our website, including recent uploads on past housing law seminars. Click the link to training events on the home page, then follow the link to handouts.
Please note these handouts represent the law as at the date of the training events for which they were issued. The law may have changed in the intervening time since then.
RLC Closed, 24 & 28 September
21st September 2009
Renfrewshire Law Centre will be closed all day on Thursday, 24 September 2009 for staff training.
Services will resume on Friday, 25 September.
The Law Centre will be closed again all day on Monday, 28 September, which is a public holiday.
Law Centre Seeks Directors
18th September 2009
Renfrewshire Law Centre is recruiting Directors. Support your local Law Centre. Renfrewshire Law Centre is this local authority area's only law centre. It provides legal advice, assistance and representation at all levels of the Scottish civil justice system to local residents unable to find legal services elsewhere. It also provides legal services and training to other local organisations and the public. It is a registered legal charity. The Law Centre is currently looking to recruit up to five new Directors to volunteer for its Board. Applicants should be proposed by another local organisation. Please contact Jon Kiddie, Principal Solicitor ...
Scotland has Busiest Prisons in Europe
14th September 2009
Recent research shows Scotland imprisons more individuals than any other member of the European Union, i.e. 157 per 100,000 citizens, with a total of 8,124 prisoners.
This compares with 153 per 100,000 in the rest of Britain.
The Scottish prison population has continued to increase over recent years in spite of a reduction in reported crime rates.
Our prisoner capacity is only 7,428, making our prisons overcrowded.
The research was undertaken by King's College, London.
Megrahi Papers To Be Made Public
9th September 2009
Justice Secretary, Kenny MacAskill, has stated he intends to make public some of the appeal papers relating to Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi’s proposed appeal against conviction, which the Libyan recently dropped in advance of his recent compassionate and controversial release from prison and return to Libya on licence.
The Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission's had recommended a review of the conviction on the basis that the conviction may have been unsound.
So far only a summary has been published running to some 14 pages, while the complete document of over 800 pages remains secret – more may be released ...
Spelling Errors
4th September 2009
It has been brought to our atttention that there are some spelling errors on the website. If you notice any, please contact us on jon@paisleylawcentre.co.uk
RLC Annual Report Available Online
3rd September 2009
Renfrewshire Law Centre's Annual Report for 2008/09 is now available to view online on this website under the Reports Section.
Click here to link to Annual Report.
Law Centres to Meet Justice Minister
2nd September 2009
Justic Minister, Kenny McAskill, has agreed to meet representatives of Scottish Law Centres in early October 2009 in order to discuss proposals for reform to current laws on mortgage repossession, debt and bankruptcy.
These reforms would improve home owners' rights and those of their familys and tenants.
In particular the presen law gives tenants of private landlords very liitle protection in the event of mortgage arrears accruing at the property. This gap in the law is the cause of growing conern here in Renfrewshire and elsewhere as the credit crunch continues to affect the private rental market.
The reforms would ...