Law centre takes to the streets

Solicitors from the Rochdale Law Centre have held pop-up advice surgeries to raise awareness around the need to defend legal aid.

Dozens of people are said to have visited the surgeries at the Spotland and Falinge Community Centre and the Burnside Community Centre in Middleton.

Senior solicitor, Gillian Quine, said: “Proposed cuts to legal aid will mean that the poorest, most vulnerable members of our community will be left without access to free advice or representation.”

She continued: “According to research done by Legal Action Group, over 650 000 people nationwide will lose out on vital help through cuts to legal aid alone.

“People on low incomes and those who are disabled or vulnerable disproportionately rely on community advice agencies for the help they need, yet the funding for this service is under serious threat.

“We’re hoping that people will remind our government that justice is for everyone—not just those with money.”

These pop-up advice surgeries were held as part of the Justice for All Campaign’s national Day of Action. Justice for All is a nationwide campaign defending legal aid from proposed government cuts.