Public Law Project

PLP joins tributes for Simon (Spike) Mullings, whose passing is a huge loss. Simon was a pre-eminent adviser and activist, and the principle of access to justice has lost a powerful proponent. We will miss his intellectual dynamism. We will also miss just the kind of person Simon was: cultured, compassionate, funny and lovely to spend any time with. The kind of person that makes you feel better about the world for meeting and knowing him. We echo others’ words: Simon was the best of us. Our thoughts are with his loved ones.

“It is in everyone’s interest that the technology which is adopted is lawful, fair and non-discriminatory,” PLP's Caroline Selman told The Observer last week. Details about AI & automated tools used by central government are now "due to be published shortly." Thanks to Jon Ungoed-Thomas for writing about the need for transparency around the Government's use of AI & automation, PLP's Tracking Automated Government register, and why PLP are currently acting for Work Rights Centre in a potential claim against the DWP. https://lnkd.in/eTRmfD-8

When the Public Accounts Committee raised PLP’s concerns about DWP’s use of AI and automation last year, the DWP said it would assess the impact of this use on protected groups and vulnerable claimants in its Annual Report for the first time. Now its Annual Report have been published – but no meaningful information has been provided. Why do we need information about DWP’s use of automation and AI? There is a real risk that technologies of this nature may lead to discriminatory outcomes by unfairly targeting particular claimants because of their protected characteristics (as identified by the National Audit Office and Public Accounts Committee.) That becomes a very serious risk when people’s Universal Credit payments are affected by the use of possibly biased automation. PLP are currently acting for Work Rights Centre in a potential claim against the DWP, because we think this use of tech may be unlawful. We’re concerned that the DWP’s opaque use of automation in the context of UC Advances and UC payment investigations and suspensions does not accord with published guidance and may be contrary to data protection law, human rights law and equalities law.  Read our pre-action letter here to find out more: https://lnkd.in/eh_i6xgA

PLP is looking for a consultant(s) to collaborate with us in refining our organisational purpose and developing our next strategic plan.   This is a pivotal moment to shape the future direction of PLP, and your expertise will be instrumental in navigating the complexities and opportunities ahead.    If you’re interested submit your proposal by 21 August. https://lnkd.in/efYjWQSK

What’s the real #CostofInjustice? New research shows the Government has been wasting nearly £400k a year assessing immigration legal aid applications that fall under Exceptional Case Funding, even though almost 90% of those applications are approved. Cuts to legal aid have had a devastating impact, especially in the immigration sector. But they have also racked up additional costs in the long run by putting pressure on other parts of government, according to a new report that points to wasted money & “embarrassing” data gaps. When people are stranded without immigration legal aid, that has a knock-on effect on courts, health services, local authorities, prisons & social services. The Government must start collecting data on this to figure out the actual costs of the 2012 LASPO Act. "The tax-payer has just sunk £320 million on the Rwanda plan. That is 21 years’ worth of the total reduction in spending for immigration legal aid caused by LASPO," says PLP's Dr. Jo Hynes. “The need for evidence to demonstrate the full costs of LASPO is embarrassingly urgent." "We currently have a legal aid system that is neither fair nor fit for purpose, and it is putting a considerable strain on many areas of governance," says Dr. Emma Marshall. We hope the Ministry of Justice takes necessary steps to gather the data and make better policy. Thanks to Dr. Emma Marshall, Dr. Samuel Engle, and Siân Pearce from University of Exeter and Exeter Law School for their excellent work on this report, produced in partnership with PLP, Migrants Organise, Jo Wilding, and Dr. Daniel Newman. Read the report here: https://lnkd.in/eCQFnhak

Do you have financial management experience? Are you passionate about public law and holding the Government to account? Join PLP's Board of Trustees in a key governance and leadership role ⬇ https://lnkd.in/gqiE5zfm

💸 Do you have financial management experience? ⚖ Are you passionate about public law and holding the Government to account? Join PLP's Board of Trustees in a key governance and leadership role, providing financial expertise and insight ⬇ https://lnkd.in/gqiE5zfm

JOB OPPORTUNITY 🚨 Do you want to work at the cutting edge of public law in the UK, supporting the team that’s currently running the main challenge to the Rwanda policy? If you're a capable and ambitious paralegal, apply here before 7 July to become a crucial part of PLP's casework team ⬇ https://lnkd.in/eWbx9BgQ

This week, the High Court ruled that the Home Office acted unlawfully by dropping key recommendations from the Windrush Review. Huge congratulations to claimant Mr. Donald and to our client Black Equity Organisation who intervened in this case. The judge found that former Home Secretary Suella Braverman breached the rights of Windrush victims when she decided not to create a new Migrants' Commissioner role or review the powers of the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration. The Government already failed the Windrush generation during the initial devastating scandal. We are pleased that the Home Office's decision to drop important measures in response to the scandal has now been overturned by the court. Thanks to Nicola Braganza KC and Bijan Hoshi at Garden Court Chambers and Christian Davies at 11KBW for their work on this intervention. https://lnkd.in/eJyk5tPT

Peter Lockley and Sahil Kher will be speaking at the Public Law Project’s Making Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) requests webinar on 18 June at 11am. More information and booking details can be found here: https://lnkd.in/eVN9G8tf