DeepSummary
The episode begins with Adam Wagner introducing the podcast and topic of law centers and their role in providing access to justice and human rights for those who cannot afford legal representation. Peter Candler, the founder of the North Kensington Law Centre, shares the origins of the law centre movement, describing the dire living conditions and lack of legal aid that motivated him to establish the first law centre in 1970.
Julie Bishop, the director of the Law Centres Network, discusses the current landscape of law centres in the UK, highlighting their critical role in supporting vulnerable communities, particularly during the COVID-19 crisis. She emphasizes the significant impact of austerity measures and legal aid cuts on law centres and the people they serve.
Annie Campbell Viswanathan, the current director of the North Kensington Law Centre, provides insights into the centre's day-to-day operations, the diverse range of legal issues they address, and the challenges they face in securing funding and resources. The guests underscore the importance of law centres in ensuring access to justice and upholding human rights for all.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Law centres play a crucial role in providing access to justice and upholding human rights for those who cannot afford legal representation.
- The establishment of law centres was motivated by a lack of legal aid and representation for vulnerable communities, particularly in areas like housing, employment, and criminal defense.
- Law centres have faced significant challenges due to legal aid cuts and austerity measures, with many centres closing or facing financial difficulties.
- Law centres often take a holistic approach, addressing multiple legal issues and working with other community organizations to support their clients.
- There is a need to change the narrative around the importance of access to justice and the role of lawyers in upholding democratic principles.
- Despite the challenges, law centres remain committed to their mission and continue to advocate for those in need of legal support.
- Law centres rely on a combination of legal aid funding, grants, and local authority support to sustain their operations.
- Law students and future lawyers are encouraged to consider pursuing careers in community-based legal work, despite the difficulties, to contribute to the important work of law centres.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “Where do we find ourselves now? I think that the LASPO, the legal aid changes in 2012 had an enormous impact on law centres. 20% of our members closed. In fact we were pleased that 80% survived. But on top of the legal aid cuts, remember we've had ten years of austerity and that has hit local authorities particularly hard. And local authorities are the other funder, or have been in the past the other funder of law centres. So over this ten year period, law centres income has shrunk by 50% or 60% in fact.“ by Julie Bishop
- “We don't profit from the people we serve, and therefore we represent something more important within the democratic process.“ by Annie Campbell Viswanathan
- “So my message to law students is, if you can manage it, stick at it and work in the community, and hopefully things will change over the next few years. But I'm not pretending it's going to be easy.“ by Peter Candler
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Episode Information
Better Human Podcast
Adam Wagner
9/21/20
Human rights can be illusory if you can't afford to claim them. For 50 years, law centres have been making human rights a reality and helping people experiencing crises to access a lawyer. In this episode, I am joined by Peter Kandler, founder of the North Kensington Law Centre, Julie Bishop, Director of the Law Centres Network and Annie Campbell, director of the North Kensington Law Centre. Show notes as always at www.betterhumanpodcast.com