Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Free Representation Unit @freerepunit.bsky.social · 2h

Hard agree Rebecca. Nadine is our client and we frequently encounter these issues.

The ability to access employment rights is fundamentally broken. No accessible legal advice, huge delays etc. It needs huge investment and a new approach. The Fair Work Agency is an opportunity to make a difference.

Rebecca Florisson @rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social · 2h

Such a great piece from @tbij.bsky.social that highlights how difficult it is for workers to access and enforce their rights - it shows truly staggering figures of non-payment of tribunal awards by employers, and that's not even counting the personal cost to workers.

The Bureau of Investigative Journalism @tbij.bsky.social · 6d

Last year, Nadine made headlines after she was awarded £65,000 for unfair dismissal by Peckham Levels

Preparing for the tribunal cost Nadine her health – but she has yet to see the money

1

Reposted by Free Representation Unit

SecEd @seced.bsky.social · 6h

Hidden school hunger & school meals debt: The families of almost 1 in 4 pupils ineligible for free school meals are in debt because they cannot afford the cost of school lunches. Research from @aberlourcharity.bsky.social raises fears over 'hidden hunger' in #schools: buff.ly/2GIZFzA#pove...

Hidden school hunger and school meals debt - SecEd

Research from Aberlour Children’s Charity finds many pupils and families ineligible for free school meals are in debt

buff.ly

3 1

Reposted by Free Representation Unit

Law Centres Network @lawcentres.bsky.social · 1d

Even people who get favourable Employment Tribunal judgments do not end up getting their payouts. Now, once again, the government is considering introducing fees for making claims.

This is a step backwards that will harm workers’ rights.

Thousands of workers who won at Employment Tribunal yet to see a penny

Investigation finds that nearly £36m out of £46m in ET awards over the past decade remains unpaid.

www.lawgazette.co.uk

3 3

Free Representation Unit @freerepunit.bsky.social · 2d

Calling all FRU volunteers and supporters.

Please come to our annual general assembly on 30 October at Latham and Watkins. We'd love to see you to help us celebrate our work over the past year. Guest speaker plus refreshments - see you there!

RSVP [email protected]

#WeDoProBono

1

Reposted by Free Representation Unit

Nearly Legal @nearlylegal.co.uk · 2d

A reminder from the High Court that where the local authority owes the duty to provide suitable accommodation, and is in breach of that duty, general statements about the difficulty of obtaining temporary accommodation will not be enough to avoid a mandatory order

nearlylegal.co.uk/2025/10/unsu...

Unsuitability and a mandatory order - Nearly Legal: Housing Law News and Comment

Hammad, R (on the application of) v Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea (2025) EWHC 2425 (Admin) This was a judicial review of RBKC’s failure to provide suitable accommodation under s.193 Housing Ac...

nearlylegal.co.uk

5 14

Free Representation Unit @freerepunit.bsky.social · 3d

Welcome back to participants at day 2 of our social security training.

Now FRU assistant legal officer Brandi Amiss-Towler talks about her specialist subject - Disability Living Allowance.

We hope you are enjoying the presentations and getting a good grounding in our social security work.

1 2

Free Representation Unit @freerepunit.bsky.social · 4d

Welcome to everyone attending the first day of our social security training.

We hope that you find the training useful and interesting.

#WeDoProBono

2

Free Representation Unit @freerepunit.bsky.social · 5d

The answer is definitely 'no' for many people Sarah.

Sarah Murphy @13sarahmurphy.bsky.social · 6d

This is really important work…

Labour’s Employment Rights Bill may well transform workers’ rights. But only if people can access justice and enforcement of remedies can’t be dodged.

Do you really have rights at all, if the barriers to asserting them are so difficult to overcome?

Emiliano Mellino @mellino.bsky.social · 6d

🚨 Our new investigation out today reveals how thousands of people who've taken their bosses to employment tribunals & won, never got paid, even after they approached the government for help.

This has serious implications for the Employment rights bill.
www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2025...

1

Free Representation Unit @freerepunit.bsky.social · 6d

We're pleased to have collaborated with you on this research and report Emiliano.

A really important issue for the economy. Everyone needs certainty that rights will be honoured - workers and companies that do the right thing and which don't want to be undermined.

Massive change is needed.

Emiliano Mellino @mellino.bsky.social · 6d

🚨 Our new investigation out today reveals how thousands of people who've taken their bosses to employment tribunals & won, never got paid, even after they approached the government for help.

This has serious implications for the Employment rights bill.
www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2025...

Thousands of rogue bosses get away with not paying tribunal awards

The government scheme ‘enforcing’ money owed to workers has been unsuccessful in a staggering three-quarters of cases

www.thebureauinvestigates.com

4 11

Reposted by Free Representation Unit

Richard Hazell @rpchlaw.bsky.social · 6d

Rather thrilled that my former employer Wiltshire Law Centre is now SOUTHERN ENGLAND LAW CENTRE at www.selc.org.uk. Massive achievement by Olivia and her 20+ colleagues. I am very proud to have started there in 1981 and now to be a Trustee.

Home - Southern England Law Centre

www.selc.org.uk

2 5

Free Representation Unit @freerepunit.bsky.social · 6d

We collaborated with @tbij.bsky.social on this important story.

We represented Nadine at the ET. She was awarded £35k but hasn't received any of it. Workers need co-ordinated action by government agencies to enforce rights. We'll continue to represent our clients to give them the best chance.

4 6

Free Representation Unit @freerepunit.bsky.social · 6d

www.theguardian.com/money/2025/o...
Hard to believe that this idea has come round again. We spent so long last year making the case against ET fees.

We argued strongly that the introduction of these fees is not in the interests of access to justice. www.thefru.org.uk/public-consu...

Labour considering charging workers for employment tribunal claims, sources say

Exclusive: Reintroducing tribunal fees would be ‘a gift for bad bosses’, says TUC chief Paul Nowak

www.theguardian.com

2 2

Free Representation Unit @freerepunit.bsky.social · 8d

Huge thanks to everyone at @11kbw.bsky.social for this wonderful support for our work.

2

Reposted by Free Representation Unit

Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit (GMIAU) @gmiau.bsky.social · 9d

Just a reminder that from tomorrow, 30th September 2025, the process for accessing legal advice from GMIAU will be changing.

To help, here is an updated guide outlining how professionals can make referrals to GMIAU under the new system. Please use and share with anyone who may need it.

1 2 1

Free Representation Unit @freerepunit.bsky.social · 9d

Last chance to book our brilliant Social Security law and practice training.

Real legal experience - take this training and volunteer with the FRU.

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/fru-social...

Booking will close Tuesday Sept 30th.

Don't miss this opportunity to advance your legal career!

Reposted by Free Representation Unit

The Bar Council @thebarcouncil.bsky.social · 13d

Chair of the Bar Barbara Mills KC said: "The Law Society's new report brings into sharp focus the dire and urgent need for additional funding and investment for our court infrastructure. The Government should not allow our criminal and family courts to continue to deteriorate any further."

‘Maggots raining down’: survey lays bare dire state of courts in England and Wales | The Bar Council of England and Wales

Commenting on the news today, the Chair of the Bar Barbara Mills KC said: "The Law Society's new report brings into sharp focus the dire and urgent need for additional funding and investment for our c...

www.linkedin.com

1 3

Reposted by Free Representation Unit

Tony Roe @tonyroedivorce.bsky.social · 13d

Rotting seagulls and 'maggots raining down': solicitors lay bare the condition of the courts estate

www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/rotting...

Rotting seagulls and 'maggots raining down': solicitors lay bare the condition of the courts estate

Uxbridge magistrates and Manchester magistrates were the two lowest rated courts, according to Law Society survey.

www.lawgazette.co.uk

2 1

Reposted by Free Representation Unit

The Bar Council @thebarcouncil.bsky.social · 13d

Are you applying for pupillage? Do you need help navigating the application process? Join us in December to have your questions answered.

We aim to equip you with the tools to make the most of your application and maximise your chances of success.

Book now: www.barcouncil.org.uk/training-eve...

Event promotional graphic for "Making the Most of your Pupillage Gateway Application" hosted by The Bar Council. Features icons related to law, such as scales of justice, books, and laptops. Scheduled for Tuesday, December 9, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM, online.

1 2

Free Representation Unit @freerepunit.bsky.social · 14d

Huge thanks to everyone at @1crownofficerow.bsky.social - this is essential funding to keep our #ProBono and #ClinicalLegalEducation service going.

1

Free Representation Unit @freerepunit.bsky.social · 16d

A reminder: if you are an aspiring lawyer this fantastic experience is available to you.

Volunteering with FRU is a shortcut to gaining key legal skills.

The entry point is to attend our training. Places are still left on the social security training. Book here www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/fru-social...

1

Free Representation Unit @freerepunit.bsky.social · 19d

Thank you Simon.

We provide access to justice so that tribunal applicants can make the strongest case to the independent judiciary who make the decisions.

We support the rule of law and help the justice system to be more efficient.

We are grateful to all our supporters and volunteers.

2 4

Reposted by Free Representation Unit

Daniel the MouseInTheCourt @mouseinthecourt.co.uk · 20d

“A court or tribunal is entitled to expect those who invoke the open justice principle to be open themselves”

EAT declines to provides documents to remote observer saying she could have attended + citing administrative burden

www.bailii.org/uk/cases/UKE...

Cohen v Mahmood (Re Application for Documents) [2025] EAT 134 (18 September 2025)

www.bailii.org

1

Free Representation Unit @freerepunit.bsky.social · 21d

Busy busy busy day for us today.

Four employment tribunal hearings on the go at the same time!

Our brilliant volunteer advocates have got this!

#WeDoProBono #EmploymentLaw #FreeLegalRepresentation

1 1

Free Representation Unit @freerepunit.bsky.social · 23d

Update: All employment training places now sold.

Lots of social security places still available. Please follow this link: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/fru-social...

Get fantastic expert training on law and practise and then put into action as a volunteer - unparalleled experience for all lawyers.

1 1

Reposted by Free Representation Unit

Matrix Law @matrixlaw.bsky.social · 23d

In memory of Professor Conor Gearty KC (Hons), we invite those who knew him to continue to share their thoughts and tributes.

His memorial page remains open for those who would like to contribute: www.online-tribute.com/ProfessorCon...

1 5