ALL PUBLIC LAW CASES ARE ENTITLED TO NON MEANS TESTED LEGAL AID

[Alison J Stevens]

Since the 1st April 2008 and highlighted in the Public and Private Law Guidelines Social Workers have the duty to supply Parents with a list of Childrens Panel Solicitors within their area, these Solicitors firms should also be doing no work for the Local Authority.
This list should be given at the same time as the pre proceedings letter.
My general opinion about this clause,with reference to PAIN cases is that Social Workers very rarely abide by this, i think in the past year there has only been three or four cases where they have used this option.
It has come to my attention via a Journalist that the Social Worker told a Mother that her Public Law case was not in the jurisdiction of where legal aid would be granted,and that she should use a Solicitor recommended by the Local Authority.
In other words she had been set up to loose her case,with a deliberate lie.
ALL PUBLIC LAW CASES ARE ENTITLED TO NON MEANS TESTED LEGAL AID.
In cases where Parents want to sack there Solicitors in the last stages of care proceedings, it may be to late to engage with new Solicitors, in this case where the Solicitor is pandering to the wishes of the LA,it is sometimes best to litigate in person with a experienced Mackenzie friend.