The Greater Manchester Law Centre officially opens its new premises next Saturday, 11th February, with patrons top legal aid lawyer, Robert Lizar, and community justice campaigner, Dr Erinma Bell, cutting the ribbon at the shop front on Princess Road, Manchester.
It's followed by a free public party at the West Indian Sports and Social Club in Moss Side between 1:30pm and 5pm with guests, Maxine Peake and superstar human rights lawyer, Michael Mansfield.
There's food, activities for children and entertainment courtesy of the Holy Name RC Primary School Steel Band, spoken word artists and DJ Kemoy Walker.
The GM Law centre was founded by lawyers, trade unionists and community advice organisations in response to Government legal aid cuts, which have seen nine law centres in Greater Manchester reduced to just two, in Bury and Rochdale.
Now, the new Law Centre has set up welfare rights services, challenging negative Employment Support Allowance decisions by the DWP, and has gained the support of lawyers, North West TUC and local trade union branches, local community groups and all five University Law Schools – whose law students are starting to represent people at tribunals.
"We are not just a law centre, but a campaign - for law centres generally" explains John Nicholson, Chair of the GM Law Centre "We aren't providing a bit of service delivery, though that is important, on the lines of food banks – we are a campaign for properly funded legal aid.
"We are fighting for a new generation of publicly funded social welfare lawyers" he adds "While it is great to get so much support from pro bono volunteers, we are not just here to mask the severity of cuts and closures. We are not an isolated organisation, competing with others for the crumbs of statutory sector funding; we want to campaign with others for more for all of us. And we do not just want access to the legal system, we are a campaign for justice!"
GM Law Centre Official Opening Party
Saturday 11th February 1:30pm-5pm
West Indian Sports and Social Club
Westwood Street, Moss Side M14 4SW
For further details of the work of the GM Law Centre see its website www.gmlaw.org.uk or call 769 2244 email reception@gmlaw.org.uk
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