Firm hits out at legal aid refusal for arson inquest

A north London firm has hit out at the Legal Services Commission (LSC) after it refused to fund legal representation for a second inquest into the deaths of 13 young people who died in an infamous fire.

Hodge Jones & Allen applied for legal aid for the families of partygoers who died in the suspected racially motivated arson attack in New Cross in 1981, but was turned down because there was no significant wider public interest.

The original inquest returned an open verdict.

The firm is now appealing.

Senior partner Patrick Allen said he was 'astonished' at the decision.

'This could not be a clearer case for public funding under the new rules [in the Access to Justice Act],' he argued.

An LSC spokesman said although the 'tragic' case had not satisfied the funding criteria, the families would qualify for legal help, although this does not cover representation at inquests.

He said the deputy coroner had given his assurance that the deaths would be properly investigated.

The Home Office is currently considering whether to publish a review of the coroners system which includes the issue of legal representation.

Paula Rohan