Leaflets on public law

[inappropriatelyemployed]

I am working on a project and I'd like your feedback. I've been preparing leaflets on basic public law issues like judicial review for a charity. The idea is that, as funding is so difficult to get and so few lawyers deal with public law, it would be helpful to have a leaflet which gives the basics to lay people and community organisations.

The charity I am helping feels that putting in case references (i.e. when you explain how judicial review works, you put a footnote confirming the case which makes the point) makes things too complicated for 'lay people'.

I feel that knowing the law empowers people and it can really help to quote specific cases.

What's your view? Straw poll!

I think you underestimate people by not putting it. If they are trying to quote laws at people, empower them to have credibility. If someone is brave enough to do it, then they will be determined enough to want and need the specific cases.

IMO.

That is my view too, particularly given how the law has empowered people on this board!

I think not puting the cases is a bit like insisting that SENDIST is accessible to the average parent.

That might be the intention of the people who set it up originally, but without some understanding of the higher level nuances, parents are at a huge disadvantage. Just because something 'should' work, doesn't mean it does.

another vote for putting the cases in; using cases was a vital part in our statement battle. if you go down these kind of routes, then imo.one does need to know the cases.

Thanks. I was a bit taken aback as I do think it is a bit patronising to think that people don't like to see what the law is.

I know when you are complaining about a failure to deliver provision for example, it just adds that extra weight to quote the North Tyneside case.

People don't have to look at the footnotes but they are there and accessible to people who might otherwise have no chance of finding this info for themselves.

Exactly, I think you don't read them if you don't want to but if you do you'll access information much more easily.

I'll make it accessible here anyway!