Brian
@briandikoff.bsky.social
Chair of trustees at HMSC and trustee at LAG. Views my own.
Reposted by Brian
My new research report with @wearelapg.bsky.social shows legal aid practitioners spend a quarter of their working day, on average, on non-chargeable tasks essential to the running of their legal aid cases or contract: www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/legal-a...
Legal aid lawyers spend quarter of day on unpaid work
Landmark research reveals hidden and non-chargeable cost of managing cases and contracts.
www.lawgazette.co.uk
September 30, 2025 at 9:41 AM
My new research report with @wearelapg.bsky.social shows legal aid practitioners spend a quarter of their working day, on average, on non-chargeable tasks essential to the running of their legal aid cases or contract: www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/legal-a...
Proud to have joined @legalactiongroup.bsky.social as a trustee. I was rather reluctant to leave my work on legal aid and access to justice, so am very grateful for this opportunity to keep fighting for this issue.
Incidentally, will also be speaking at the next care act conference.
Incidentally, will also be speaking at the next care act conference.
September 30, 2025 at 6:31 AM
Proud to have joined @legalactiongroup.bsky.social as a trustee. I was rather reluctant to leave my work on legal aid and access to justice, so am very grateful for this opportunity to keep fighting for this issue.
Incidentally, will also be speaking at the next care act conference.
Incidentally, will also be speaking at the next care act conference.
Shabana spewing the same exact, also racist, nonsense as Rishi just a few years back about their “hard working” parents who deserved to be in this country feels like rock bottom if there’s ever a bottom.
I guess if you’re an international student / worker, time to start volunteering at the many
I guess if you’re an international student / worker, time to start volunteering at the many
Migrants already "earn the right to settlement" through extortionate visa costs, which can run into tens of thousands of pounds. They prop up key services, including through the Immigration Health Surcharge.
Pushing the hostile environment on steroids helps no-one.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Pushing the hostile environment on steroids helps no-one.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Mahmood demands migrants earn right to settlement in UK
New tests will include learning English to a high standard, paying National Insurance and not claiming benefits.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 29, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Shabana spewing the same exact, also racist, nonsense as Rishi just a few years back about their “hard working” parents who deserved to be in this country feels like rock bottom if there’s ever a bottom.
I guess if you’re an international student / worker, time to start volunteering at the many
I guess if you’re an international student / worker, time to start volunteering at the many
Right that’s it, end of my last official day at @migrantsorganise.bsky.social It was exactly 11 years ago to the month that I applied to be a mentor thinking this would be a cool side experience to put on my CV. I had just moved to the UK, so It’s really been a home away from home where I’ve
September 12, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Right that’s it, end of my last official day at @migrantsorganise.bsky.social It was exactly 11 years ago to the month that I applied to be a mentor thinking this would be a cool side experience to put on my CV. I had just moved to the UK, so It’s really been a home away from home where I’ve
As annoyed as I am with commute this is so great. I don’t get the reaction of those earning similar or less saying drivers are unreasonable: if you do full time work and still can’t ever afford a house, then yes it is too low: and yes all most of us are paid too low - go on strike like them
September 10, 2025 at 1:23 PM
As annoyed as I am with commute this is so great. I don’t get the reaction of those earning similar or less saying drivers are unreasonable: if you do full time work and still can’t ever afford a house, then yes it is too low: and yes all most of us are paid too low - go on strike like them
Solidarity to anyone else spending the evening filling out family reunion forms 😪 should really be learning Arabic instead of French
September 3, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Solidarity to anyone else spending the evening filling out family reunion forms 😪 should really be learning Arabic instead of French
Sent a rather angry email to a consultant who, after 2 months of chasing, refuses to provide a supporting letter on how the current accomodation is unsuitable. Said in one line to ask the GP, completely ignoring my explanation as to why that would not be as good.
September 2, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Sent a rather angry email to a consultant who, after 2 months of chasing, refuses to provide a supporting letter on how the current accomodation is unsuitable. Said in one line to ask the GP, completely ignoring my explanation as to why that would not be as good.
Another day, another inane policy to tackle non-existent problem. There'll be an uproar in the sector, people's lives will be horribly affected, there'll be a court battle when in the end the Home Office will come up with enough vague "exceptional circumstances" tests that the court will eventually
September 2, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Another day, another inane policy to tackle non-existent problem. There'll be an uproar in the sector, people's lives will be horribly affected, there'll be a court battle when in the end the Home Office will come up with enough vague "exceptional circumstances" tests that the court will eventually
I get so upset when someone who works in the sector talks about how they “accept” there’s a limit to how much legal aid can be increased / there’s no magic money tree. Why even get into that discussion?? The rate hasn’t been increased since 96, we are *so* far off from overfunding of legal aid
July 9, 2025 at 10:40 AM
I get so upset when someone who works in the sector talks about how they “accept” there’s a limit to how much legal aid can be increased / there’s no magic money tree. Why even get into that discussion?? The rate hasn’t been increased since 96, we are *so* far off from overfunding of legal aid
Very happy about this!! It’s been such a pleasure working with him for the past 2.5 years
And the #LALY25 winner for public law is Shaun Livingston of TV Edwards Solicitors – who started off in insurance
tvedwards.com/person/shaun...
tvedwards.com/person/shaun...
July 5, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Very happy about this!! It’s been such a pleasure working with him for the past 2.5 years
Finally some movement! It’s nowhere enough but considering how we were talking about 15% uplift for nasty IMA work, for me this is good enough to keep fighting. If you are in the organising group we have the summit next week, 11 July, please let me know if you’d like to come! Let’s plan next steps
Civil legal aid ‘legal help’ fixed fees to increase. The first pay rise in thirty years. (It is not a rise to 30 years ago in real terms…)
www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/moj-con...
www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/moj-con...
MoJ confirms fee uplifts for housing and immigration work
Housing and immigration lawyers to get a pay rise - but still no news on fee increases for rest of civil legal aid sector.
www.lawgazette.co.uk
July 2, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Finally some movement! It’s nowhere enough but considering how we were talking about 15% uplift for nasty IMA work, for me this is good enough to keep fighting. If you are in the organising group we have the summit next week, 11 July, please let me know if you’d like to come! Let’s plan next steps
I know it’s not supposed to be about the money but seeing the DWP paying 20k+ in backdated payment to someone who really should’ve been granted PIP from the beginning just feels so satisfying… He’s also just the sweetest man with a new baby - so overall not bad timing to get a lump sum!
June 26, 2025 at 8:14 PM
I know it’s not supposed to be about the money but seeing the DWP paying 20k+ in backdated payment to someone who really should’ve been granted PIP from the beginning just feels so satisfying… He’s also just the sweetest man with a new baby - so overall not bad timing to get a lump sum!
Really, eVisa is not acceptable as a valid ID and if someone fails to provide an acceptable ID AND one with signature not only will they be denied entry, they will forfeit thousands of pounds in fees
@migrantsorganise.bsky.social we have refugee members planning to sit this exam.
@migrantsorganise.bsky.social we have refugee members planning to sit this exam.
June 11, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Really, eVisa is not acceptable as a valid ID and if someone fails to provide an acceptable ID AND one with signature not only will they be denied entry, they will forfeit thousands of pounds in fees
@migrantsorganise.bsky.social we have refugee members planning to sit this exam.
@migrantsorganise.bsky.social we have refugee members planning to sit this exam.
Always a bit in two minds when the home office / DWP doesn’t show up during appeals. On the one hand, better for the case. On the other hand: their decisions caused so much pain, misery and problems for the individual and they can’t even bothered to appear to defend it??? 🤬🤬
May 20, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Always a bit in two minds when the home office / DWP doesn’t show up during appeals. On the one hand, better for the case. On the other hand: their decisions caused so much pain, misery and problems for the individual and they can’t even bothered to appear to defend it??? 🤬🤬
Reposted by Brian
📢Free online solidarity training !
In an increasingly hostile climate, we need public sector workers to stand up and speak out in solidarity with migrants!
✊🏽 Attend and share these free trainings coming up in May.
➡️ Sign up at www.sknb.org/suso
In an increasingly hostile climate, we need public sector workers to stand up and speak out in solidarity with migrants!
✊🏽 Attend and share these free trainings coming up in May.
➡️ Sign up at www.sknb.org/suso
May 8, 2025 at 1:10 PM
📢Free online solidarity training !
In an increasingly hostile climate, we need public sector workers to stand up and speak out in solidarity with migrants!
✊🏽 Attend and share these free trainings coming up in May.
➡️ Sign up at www.sknb.org/suso
In an increasingly hostile climate, we need public sector workers to stand up and speak out in solidarity with migrants!
✊🏽 Attend and share these free trainings coming up in May.
➡️ Sign up at www.sknb.org/suso
Reposted by Brian
Everything you need to know about the trans Supreme Court case: What it said, what it didn't, and what happens next iandunt.substack.com/p/everything...
Everything you need to know about the trans Supreme Court case
What it said, what it didn't, and what happens next.
iandunt.substack.com
May 1, 2025 at 7:37 AM
Everything you need to know about the trans Supreme Court case: What it said, what it didn't, and what happens next iandunt.substack.com/p/everything...
Reposted by Brian
New work from the www.channelcrossings.org team!
We have been gathering a dataset of contracts that the government has with private companies related to Channel crossings. We are calling this the ‘border economy’. We have identified over £3billion worth of contracts...
We have been gathering a dataset of contracts that the government has with private companies related to Channel crossings. We are calling this the ‘border economy’. We have identified over £3billion worth of contracts...
(no title)
Visit the post for more.
www.channelcrossings.org
May 1, 2025 at 3:09 PM
New work from the www.channelcrossings.org team!
We have been gathering a dataset of contracts that the government has with private companies related to Channel crossings. We are calling this the ‘border economy’. We have identified over £3billion worth of contracts...
We have been gathering a dataset of contracts that the government has with private companies related to Channel crossings. We are calling this the ‘border economy’. We have identified over £3billion worth of contracts...
Reposted by Brian
Good legal advice is vital for anyone navigating Britain's hostile immigration system.
But after 30 years of government neglect the legal aid system is in crisis, and reliable, publicly-funded advice has become harder to find.
Access our report here: www.migrantsorganise.org/new-report-t...
But after 30 years of government neglect the legal aid system is in crisis, and reliable, publicly-funded advice has become harder to find.
Access our report here: www.migrantsorganise.org/new-report-t...
April 7, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Good legal advice is vital for anyone navigating Britain's hostile immigration system.
But after 30 years of government neglect the legal aid system is in crisis, and reliable, publicly-funded advice has become harder to find.
Access our report here: www.migrantsorganise.org/new-report-t...
But after 30 years of government neglect the legal aid system is in crisis, and reliable, publicly-funded advice has become harder to find.
Access our report here: www.migrantsorganise.org/new-report-t...
I’m very glad LALY award exists - so important to have a positive event / space for dedicated lawyers, but writing references is just such a task. And it seems to always coincide with chambers and partners (or something similar), research?
April 7, 2025 at 9:31 AM
I’m very glad LALY award exists - so important to have a positive event / space for dedicated lawyers, but writing references is just such a task. And it seems to always coincide with chambers and partners (or something similar), research?
Reposted by Brian
🚀NEW REPORT🚀
❗This week we launched a new report highlighting how the crisis in legal aid is leaving people without good quality legal advice at a time when they need it most.
➡️ Access it here www.migrantsorganise.org/new-report-t...
❗This week we launched a new report highlighting how the crisis in legal aid is leaving people without good quality legal advice at a time when they need it most.
➡️ Access it here www.migrantsorganise.org/new-report-t...
April 3, 2025 at 11:03 AM
🚀NEW REPORT🚀
❗This week we launched a new report highlighting how the crisis in legal aid is leaving people without good quality legal advice at a time when they need it most.
➡️ Access it here www.migrantsorganise.org/new-report-t...
❗This week we launched a new report highlighting how the crisis in legal aid is leaving people without good quality legal advice at a time when they need it most.
➡️ Access it here www.migrantsorganise.org/new-report-t...
Reposted by Brian
Trusted legal advice is a lifeline. It's astounding that in 2024 a staggering 57% of people seeking asylum in the UK did not have access to legal aid.
In the context of hostile immigration policies alongside austerity cuts to social welfare – this is a recipe for poverty and pain. ⬇️
In the context of hostile immigration policies alongside austerity cuts to social welfare – this is a recipe for poverty and pain. ⬇️
Legal aid is a vital public service.
We contributed to a new report from @migrantsorganise.bsky.social that highlights how the crisis in legal aid is leaving people without good quality legal advice at a time when they need it most.
Read it here: www.migrantsorganise.org/new-report-t...
We contributed to a new report from @migrantsorganise.bsky.social that highlights how the crisis in legal aid is leaving people without good quality legal advice at a time when they need it most.
Read it here: www.migrantsorganise.org/new-report-t...
New Report! Threadbare: the Quality of Legal Aid - Migrants Organise
New Report! Threadbare: the Quality of Legal Aid - Access to Justice
www.migrantsorganise.org
April 4, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Trusted legal advice is a lifeline. It's astounding that in 2024 a staggering 57% of people seeking asylum in the UK did not have access to legal aid.
In the context of hostile immigration policies alongside austerity cuts to social welfare – this is a recipe for poverty and pain. ⬇️
In the context of hostile immigration policies alongside austerity cuts to social welfare – this is a recipe for poverty and pain. ⬇️
So incredibly happy someone I’ve been working with for the past 8 years is finally going to get refugee. She’s quite literally why the MMCA project started and I feel many positive changes have happened because of her, and now she herself will finally have access to the support & stability she needs
March 27, 2025 at 11:48 AM
So incredibly happy someone I’ve been working with for the past 8 years is finally going to get refugee. She’s quite literally why the MMCA project started and I feel many positive changes have happened because of her, and now she herself will finally have access to the support & stability she needs
Reps who drop your clients case after refusal: can you at least lodge the friggin appeal??? It’s not that hard, takes maybe 30 mins, just put some generic grounds. I know there’s a crisis, etc. etc. etc. but there’s a 2 weeks deadline and least you can do at that point is lodge
March 26, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Reps who drop your clients case after refusal: can you at least lodge the friggin appeal??? It’s not that hard, takes maybe 30 mins, just put some generic grounds. I know there’s a crisis, etc. etc. etc. but there’s a 2 weeks deadline and least you can do at that point is lodge
Reposted by Brian
⚡️Why we took action:
After 30 years of neglect, the legal aid system is in crisis. We need more than sticking plaster solutions!
The Government must go further and listen to people who have been left without access to justice.
We demand a sustainable, well-funded legal aid system for all! ✊🏽
After 30 years of neglect, the legal aid system is in crisis. We need more than sticking plaster solutions!
The Government must go further and listen to people who have been left without access to justice.
We demand a sustainable, well-funded legal aid system for all! ✊🏽
March 25, 2025 at 9:05 AM
⚡️Why we took action:
After 30 years of neglect, the legal aid system is in crisis. We need more than sticking plaster solutions!
The Government must go further and listen to people who have been left without access to justice.
We demand a sustainable, well-funded legal aid system for all! ✊🏽
After 30 years of neglect, the legal aid system is in crisis. We need more than sticking plaster solutions!
The Government must go further and listen to people who have been left without access to justice.
We demand a sustainable, well-funded legal aid system for all! ✊🏽
Reposted by Brian
📣THIS WEEK on the #StandUpSpeakOut free online training series
📆 TOMORROW 12-1pm
@right-to-remain.bsky.social Knowledge is Power: tinyurl.com/ycxbd5h7
- A basic overview of the asylum system & current law and practice
- Intro to the RtR Toolkit
- The difference between legal advice & legal support
📆 TOMORROW 12-1pm
@right-to-remain.bsky.social Knowledge is Power: tinyurl.com/ycxbd5h7
- A basic overview of the asylum system & current law and practice
- Intro to the RtR Toolkit
- The difference between legal advice & legal support
Knowledge is Power
This session will cover:
- Basic overview of the asylum system and current law and practice
- Introduction to the Right to Remain Toolkit: how to use and share it
- The difference between legal advic...
tinyurl.com
March 24, 2025 at 10:57 AM
📣THIS WEEK on the #StandUpSpeakOut free online training series
📆 TOMORROW 12-1pm
@right-to-remain.bsky.social Knowledge is Power: tinyurl.com/ycxbd5h7
- A basic overview of the asylum system & current law and practice
- Intro to the RtR Toolkit
- The difference between legal advice & legal support
📆 TOMORROW 12-1pm
@right-to-remain.bsky.social Knowledge is Power: tinyurl.com/ycxbd5h7
- A basic overview of the asylum system & current law and practice
- Intro to the RtR Toolkit
- The difference between legal advice & legal support