RLC Participates in Meetings with Government and Legal Aid Board
26th July 2010
On Friday 23 July 2010 Renfrewshire Law Centre took part in meetings with representatives of the Scottish Government's Access to Justice Division then representatives of the Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) in a series of engagements set up by the Scottish Association of Law Centres (SALC) lasting the whole day.
Access to Justice Division
In the morning Jon Kiddie (RLC Principal Solicitor and SALC Secretary) and Angus McIntosh (Castlemilk Law Centre) met James Howe, Division Head, Karen MacIvor, Policy Manager, and other members of the Access to Justice Team, which has a largely new membership. The discussion examined such ...
Housing Market Recovery Spells Eviction for Homeowners
19th July 2010
Ironically, according to recent economic research undertaken by the Consumer Credit Counseling Service, as the housing market begins to recover, this may in fact trigger a surge in property repossessions as mortgage lenders adopt a more aggressive approach and enforce court orders that they had previously agreed to suspend during the economic slowdown and recession.
Renfrewshire Law Centre observed an increase in mortgage eviction cases during 2007 and 2008 followed by a drop during 2009 as lenders became more lenient. However, we expect this type of litigation to become more active in early course as the Homeowner & Debtor Protection (Scotland ...
Scottish Justice, £12 per Man, Woman & Child
7th July 2010
According to the Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) the cost to the public purse for legal aid will increase to £156.7 million this financial year, up 4% on last year when it was £150.4 million.
This represents only slightly over £30 per head of population, compared to UK spending of, for example, £613 on defence, £1,419 on education, and £1,919 on health per head of population.
Criminal legal aid spending is projected at £103.7 million (up from £98.4 million), while civil legal aid (including so called Advice & Assistance) is projected at £61.1 million ...
Schools Law Debating Competition
7th July 2010
In conjunction with the Paisley Snail Conference being planned by Renfrewshire Law Centre, the University of the West of Scotland, and the Murray Stable, there is also to be a School Law Debating Competition, which should culminate in a final match during the week of the Conference.
Plans for the School Law Debating Competition are in the early stages, but interested parties are welcome to register their interest by contacting the Law Centre:- jon@paisleylawcentre.co.uk
Parliamentarians Rally for RLC in Face of Funding Cuts
6th July 2010
In the face of dire economic times, Renfrewshire Law Centre is pleased to have the support of local parliamentarians, Wendy Alexander MSP, Hugh Henry MSP, and Douglas Alexander MP, who recognise the importance of our work and recently met Jon Kiddie, RLC Principal Solicitor, to discuss what spending cuts would mean for the Law Centre and the vital services we deliver to the people of Renfrewshire.
The Law Centre is also pleased to have the support of a number of local councillors.
To see the Law Centre's recent funding report, please click here (abbreviated format).
Lynn Jolly, PDE reporter ...