Karis Jones, a family law specialist here at Howells has been attending the Huggard Centre, a Cardiff charity once a month to provide their service users and members of the public with free legal advice.
The charity, based on Dumballs Road, is open 365 days of the year. It provides support and accommodation for the homeless and works with authorities and organisations to overcome the problems and barriers which force individuals to sleep rough. The facility also includes a hostel and shared housing which can accommodate approximately 70 people.
During her monthly visits, Karis provides a free legal surgery to service users and members of the public on any issues relating to family law. Due to the significant changes in Legal Aid funding and the quality of advice being provided, Karis’ sessions are very popular at the centre. Karis explains: “The Huggard Centre has been providing frontline services to homeless people for over 20 years. Unfortunately, the economic climate and changes to the allocation of Legal Aid has made it often impossible for everyone to seek legal advice in respect to family matters. The surgeries help those in a vulnerable position and the advice provided is appreciated.” More...
Reforms which will significantly reduce the scope and provision of legal aid will come into effect from 1st April 2013.
The Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LAPSO) received Royal Assent and became Law on 1st May 2012, with the latest reforms severely limiting the availability of legal aid for family cases including divorce and children matters.
In real terms, the reforms mean legal aid will only be available in public family law matters i.e. care proceedings involving a local authority such as Social Services and cases relating to adoption. In cases involving private family law such as divorce, contact and residence and financial matters, legal aid will only available if there is evidence of domestic violence, child abuse or child abduction. In all other cases legal aid will no longer be available. More...
