Whether it is advising clients or helping out at our campaigning and fundraising events, the dedication and enthusiasm of our fantastic volunteers is essential to everything we do. As a charity we are always looking for more volunteers to join our fight for free access to justice. On this page you can find the latest news on what our volunteers have been up to, and updates on ways in which you can get involved.
By Broho Nemetsky Brocho is a volunteer at the GMLC. She is interested in learning about our rights, and helping others to do the same. She works as a paralegal at Brian Barr Solicitors, and hopes to work as a Barrister. What is the gig economy? Most of us are familiar with companies like Uber…
This article is written by Jennifer Devans-Tamakloe, an aspiring barrister called to the Middle Temple and qualified mediator, currently working as a self-employed advocate on the northern circuit in general civil litigation matters. As a volunteer for GMLC, Jennifer aims to draw attention to GMLC’s causes and assist readers with gaining knowledge and understanding. Below,…
Janne Heederik is a volunteer with the Greater Manchester Law Centre. She is pursuing a PhD in anthropology, researching welfare reform in Greater Manchester. As a volunteer, she hopes to contribute more to the Manchester community and use her research skills outside of academia as well. The Greater Manchester Law Centre provides free, professional…
by GMLC Volunteer Robert Povall. Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) has taken legal action against the Government to defeat a statutory defence which could have left 70,000 underpaid disabled claimants £150m out of pocket. (1) In 2011, the coalition government started migrating claimants in receipt of Incapacity Benefit (IB) to Employment and Support…
A report published last week by the Joint Committee on Human Rights, Enforcing Human Rights, highlighted “grave concerns for access to justice, the rule of law, and enforcement of human rights in the UK” caused by cuts,[1] making enforcement of human rights “simply unaffordable” for some of the most vulnerable people.[2] The chair of the…
GMLC volunteer Thomas Wood looks at the origins of PIP, the 2017 amendment that excluded claimants impaired by psychological distress, and the recent legal challenge that found this guidance ‘blatantly discriminatory’. Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit that helps with the extra costs of a long-term health condition or disability. An expansion of eligibility for…
By Robert Povall. Robert is a Campaign Volunteer with GMLC. He has just completed the GDL at the University of Law and is passionate about making a difference. He wants to become a Barrister, specialising in immigration, civil liberties and human rights. Imagine that you have a severe disability and receive benefits to help…
by GMLC Volunteer Joe Payne Law Centres Federation Limited v the Lord Chancellor [2018] EWHC 1588 (Admin) A recent High Court decision was deservingly won by the Law Centres Network (LCN) in a challenge to the Ministry of Justice’s (MoJ) Legal Aid policy, via Judicial Review. Judicial Review is a legal challenge to the way a…
The Greater Manchester Law Centre opened in the face of law centre closures, cuts to advice services and a harsh environment for all public services. We saw that our community was being denied justice and we said: we have to do something. Individual donations, sponsorship and community fundraising are more than top-ups for GMLC: they…
On Sunday 20th May, a brilliant team of runners will be taking part in the Great Manchester Run to raise money for GMLC. See a selection of their stories and sponsor them below: “GMLC, like many charities of its kind, provides free access to justice by advising, supporting & representing the most vulnerable through…