Section 47: Civil legal aid for victims of slavery
228.Currently, victims of trafficking are able to apply for civil legal services for advice and representation in relation to certain immigration matters, damages claims and certain employment claims under paragraph 32 of Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO). Section 47 amends Part 1 of Schedule 1 to LASPO to extend the same provision to victims of slavery, servitude or forced or compulsory labour through inserted paragraph 32A.
Subsection (1) of inserted paragraph 32A extends the provision of civil legal services to an individual for whom there are reasonable grounds to believe, or a conclusive determination that, the individual is a victim of slavery, servitude or forced or compulsory labour and no conclusive determination that the individual is not a victim.
Subsections (2) and (3) of inserted paragraph 32A provide for victims of slavery, servitude or forced or compulsory labour (or their personal representatives where the victims are deceased) to be provided with civil legal services in relation to claims for damages, or under employment law, which arise from the conduct which made them such a victim.
