High quality law services in UK? Rev. Dane Marks and co-founders launch The Community Law Project UK Ltd to help people facing legal issues get support. Court statistics for England and Wales for the year 2019 have reported 4.2 million cases where 2.0 million from civil courts, 1.5 million from magistrates, 393,000 from tribunals, 266,000 from family courts and 104,000 from crown courts.
These statistics shows that the majority of the cases are civil and family cases and this high volume may tend to unnecessary amounts of outstanding cases, longer waiting times, costs to both the government and the parties who are present at the court. This shows the necessity of an advancement in the current court system with information technology and related solutions.
The co-founders, Rev. Dane Marks, Daniel Onafuwa and Samantha Yarwood and the genius and passionate team of Law Students and Graduates have come together to offer their support for minimal fees to assist people facing legal issues. The team will offer their support in helping compile evidence, draft case notes and find legal representation to support people in the poorest and most marginalised areas. They will also offer low cost support to law firms and barristers to enable them to focus on their cases.
Rev. Dane Marks explains, ‘since studying law and learning the issues of people facing legal problems and the problems the courts are having with the current backlogs, we will help in the best way we can.’
If we observe the number of cases even before the COVID-19 pandemic, there were towering 39.300 cases in the Crown Court. After we faced the social distancing needs in 2019, the backlog of cases elevated at least 36 per cent, and the reports showed 53,318 points. Also, the COVID-19 spread across Scotland has resulted in the Lord President’s announcement that during the lockdown time, all the criminal courts will prioritize the most serious trials to keep things going smoothly. The decision expresses that most summary trials in the Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court will be adjourned to decrease the number of overall trials to 75%. Find more information at Community Law Project UK.
Partner spotlight: Lawyers Without Borders (LWOB) is an international charitable organisation which aims to protect human rights and promote the rule of law. The organisation is made up of lawyers from around the world who provide pro bono services to access to justice and human rights initiatives. The importance of the organisation in upholding human rights, ensuring legal integrity and raising awareness has been seen globally in relation to issues such as human trafficking, wildlife crime and child labour. The Lawyers Without Borders Society is the Cardiff Student Division of LWOB, and aims to raise awareness about human rights and the rule of law in relation to national and international issues. The Society holds fundraising events and conducts awareness campaigns (including debates and panel events) throughout the year. The Society also runs a newsletter, The Justicia, which discusses topical human rights issues. Furthermore, the Society undertakes pro bono research tasks and media projects for LWOB, and has competed in the LWOB Annual Rule of Law Innovation Challenge.
Community Law Project UK Ltd is a community based legal company that assists people on low incomes in their legal matters. Research indicates that people on low income have been made the most vulnerable and most likely to face problems accessing legal remedies since the passing of the LASPO Act 2012. The further restrictions on legal impinged on the rights of individual access to professional legal assistance. We aim to bridge the gap between people who need access to justice and legal remedies alongside the professionals who can assist them. Read additional info at https://communitylawproject.com/.