Woman wins free legal advice case

The High Court has ruled in favour of a peace activist who wanted to make sure that no free legal services cuts were made to cases that were in the public interest.

Maya Evans was recently involved in a legal aid-funded court case which she fought for people who had alleged that they were tortured in Afghanistan.

She believes that the cuts were taking place as a result of concerns from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and a consultation procedure that was defective.

Ms Evans also said that the MoD's aim was to stop cases that could cause political issues.

Lawyers for the activist dubbed the win a "significant victory for the rule of law".

The importance of free legal services was also shown last month when Karen Burk spoke out to criticise cuts. The mother was unable to continue with a compensation bid she had launched on behalf of her child after her free legal help was withdrawn, the Harrow Observer reported.

Published by Hannah Carr