ATLEU v Lord Chancellor

CO/4231/2015

ATLEU has been granted permission to challenge the Lord Chancellor’s failure to grant funding to victims of trafficking seeking redress through compensation claims against their traffickers. 

Despite the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2010 and the Modern Slavery Act 2015, specifically providing access to Legal Aid to victims pursuing compensation claims, the Lord Chancellor has failed to tender a contract to Legal Aid providers enabling them to assist clients. Instead the LAA considers that the provision of five miscellaneous matter starts is sufficient to meet the need to advise and carry out preparatory work in respect of a claim.

ATLEU considers that the current provision is inadequate and seek the tendering of a specific contract to ensure that there is genuine access to advice and assistance across the UK. 

The Administrative Court will hear the Judicial Review on Wednesday 2 March 2016.