Posts by Susan Bell
Damaging Delay to Gender Recognition Reform in Scotland
Approximately 1% of the population are either trans[1] women, trans men or non-binary. Trans people don’t identify as the gender they were assigned at birth. Being transgender is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act (“gender reassignment”) – it is unlawful to discriminate against someone because they’re trans. Broadly, subject to certain exceptions, public bodies,…
Read More2022 End of Year Highlights
2022 was undoubtedly another busy and successful year for Legal Services Agency. We are very proud of all of the work we have achieved and could not have done this without the dedicated work of our staff, volunteers and board members. We are looking forward to 2023 as we strive to uphold rights and address…
Read MoreHuman Rights Day 2022
10th December was Human Rights Day, a day to commemorate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). This document sets out fundamental human rights which are to be universally protected. Although not binding, more than 60 human rights documents have developed based on the UDHR. Human Rights Day 2022 marks the beginning of a yearlong…
Read MoreSuccess for Kenneth Young in Statutory Consent Case
Terra Firma’s Kenneth Young, instructed by Rona Macleod at the Legal Services Agency, successfully argued in the Sheriff Court that statutory consent given to a trustee in sequestration to sell the family home is capable of being withdrawn.   The case of The Accountant in Bankruptcy v Watson and Watson called for legal submissions at Glasgow Sheriff Court in November.…
Read MoreInternational Day of Persons with Disabilities
Tomorrow, 3rd of December, marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This is an annual observance by the United Nations to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and wellbeing of people with disabilities. The theme for this year is “Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in…
Read MoreAileen Miller promoted to partner at Legal Services Agency
Aileen Miller was promoted to partner in the Mental Health and Adults with Incapacity Department on 1st October 2022. After qualifying as a solicitor in August 2010, Aileen began working with well-known Glasgow law firms specialising in Immigration Law before developing an interest in Mental Health and Incapacity Law in 2017. She joined LSA in September…
Read MoreLSA Finds that the New Cost of Living Bill does not go far enough
In October 2022, the Scottish Parliament passed the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Bill (we understand that the Bill has not yet received royal assent). This Bill aims to introduce new measures to protect tenants in the rented sector during the current cost of living crisis and includes a reform of the law on…
Read MoreCommunity activism and the story of Scottish law centres – Article by Mike Dailly, Govan Law Centre
SCOTLAND’s law centre history is a remarkable story. And it’s a Glasgow story. I met Paul Brown, Principal Solicitor at Legal Services Agency (LSA) at Sartis – an old favourite for many a Glaswegian. Paul retired from LSA on Friday after putting in a 42-year shift as a law centre solicitor. I wanted to capture…
Read MoreLegal Services Agency Reports Findings Following Survey Assessing Disabled Peoples’ Access to Justice
Legal Services Agency’s research shows an urgent need for reform within the legal sector to improve conditions for those with disabilities and neurodiversity. Just over half of respondents to a poll carried out by Disability Scotland at the request of LSA said they had faced challenges accessing legal services or the legal justice system. Overwhelmingly,…
Read MorePaul Brown, Principal Solicitor of Legal Services Agency, to retire at the end of September 2022
September sees the retiral of Paul Brown, Principal Solicitor at Legal Services Agency (LSA). Paul will be familiar to many in the legal field and has been a key figure in the law centre movement for over forty years. Paul started work in what was then the sole law centre in Scotland at the end…
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