Justice for all

Unite delegate Niamh O’Brady on Wednesday (September 30) spoke on justice at Labour Party conference.

Unite represents members who work across the whole range of advice and legal support organisations including local authorities, Citizens Advice and independent advice agencies.

The union also represents many local law centres and national charities, such as Shelter, Age UK and Youth Access and private sector law firms.

“The legal aid and advice sector is a core pillar of our democratic society, providing access to justice,” said Niamh.

“Yet in one of their many assaults on our civil and human rights, the coalition government and now the Tory government have undertaken the biggest attack on access to justice in modern history,” she added.

Legal Aid and funding for community support and advice services has been slashed and draconian changes made to who is eligible for support.

Fees have been introduced, blocking access to courts and tribunals.

“In my own work as a solicitor I have seen the impact this has had on people who have experienced discrimination and injustice at work,” said Niamh.

“The result of these measures has been that the most vulnerable are being priced out of justice,” she added.

Unite is campaigning and fighting back against this government’s agenda alongside the many other organisations that comprise the Justice Alliance.

All this year, in the anniversary of the Magna Carta, our members have been active protesting against what the government is doing.

“We want to see a justice system that is equal and universally accessible for all,” said Niamh.

“We want to see the reinstatement the legal aid system to support people through the criminal and civil legal system and we defend the right to challenge arbitrary and unfair decisions by government or other powerful bodies,” she added.

Unite is also fighting to protect community legal and advice services from cuts and closures and to deliver workplace justice, including the right to belong to a trade union and access the employment tribunal system.

“We must build a justice system that protects the most vulnerable in society not just the rich and powerful,” said Niamh.

“We believe that we can have these things and that these are the foundations of a just and democratic society. As Jeremy said yesterday, because Labour is the voice that says ‘you don’t have to take what you are given’,” she added.

Watch Niamh’s full speech in the video below: