Off The Record: Legal Aid, Access to Justice & Community Law with Roger Margand
Details
Off The Record (OTR) is an independent discussion community for people who value honest conversation, critical thinking, and intellectual depth. OTR events are designed as open, respectful spaces to learn new things, explore complex topics beyond slogans, soundbites, or performative debate — with curiosity, nuance, and good faith at the centre.
You don’t need to agree with anyone here. You do need to be willing to listen and to think.
DESCRIPTION:
📍This event will be held IN PERSON @Edith Cavell (Upstairs), Norwich
Please RSVP in advance, as spaces are limited.
🗓️ Date: 27.01.26
💁 Arrival time: 18:30
We’ll begin with informal conversation and drinks, allowing everyone to settle in before welcoming our guest speaker at 19:00
☕️Tea & Coffee will be provided for the purposes of increased merriment and enjoyment 😉
***
✨ I’m very pleased to welcome Roger Margand — Partner at Spire Solicitors LLP, Chair of Trustees at Norfolk Citizens Advice, and one of the supporting law firms for Norfolk Community Law Service; along with Peri Taylor (Spire Solicitors), who will also be helping us explore these topics further.
Roger has been closely involved in the legal aid and advice sector for many years, both as a practising solicitor and as a trustee working directly with frontline community services. His experience spans commercial law, governance, and community legal provision, giving him a rare perspective on how legal systems function — and where they break down — in real life.
***
🧭 WHAT THIS CONVERSATION WILL EXPLORE:
This session will take a grounded, real-world look at legal aid and access to justice in the UK, including:
- The history and original purpose of legal aid, and why it was once seen as a cornerstone of a fair society
- How legal aid and community advice services actually work today — not in theory, but on the ground
- The distinct (but interconnected) roles of Norfolk Community Law Service and Citizens Advice
- The impact of funding cuts, rising demand, and systemic pressure on waiting times and access
- What happens to individuals and communities when access to justice becomes delayed or inaccessible
- Why legal advice charities matter — even (and especially) for people who don’t yet realise they need them
We’ll also discuss new ideas, innovation, and public awareness: what could realistically improve access to justice, and how communities can better support the systems that protect them.
***
💬 FORMAT:
This will be an open, conversational event, not a lecture.
There will be:
- a short structured introduction
- followed by discussion
- and an open Q&A, where questions and perspectives from the audience are actively encouraged.
No prior legal knowledge is required.
***
💁WHO THIS EVENT IS FOR:
This conversation will be relevant to:
- anyone who has ever struggled to access legal advice
- people interested in social justice, law, policy, or community work
- students, professionals, volunteers, and organisers
- or anyone who wants to understand how rights work in practice — not just on paper.
***
🌿 ABOUT OFF THE RECORD
Off The Record is an independent discussion project run by me, Idalia Kulik.
The aim is to create thoughtful, open spaces for honest conversation — away from slogans, soundbites, and performative debate.
If you find value in these events and would like to support the continuation of OTR, you’re very welcome to do so.
Support options:
PayPal: paypal.me/idaliakulik
Bank transfer:
Idalia Kulik (Individual, not business)
20-46-65
33977889
All contributions go towards venue costs, materials, and keeping OTR accessible and independent.
Thank you for supporting thoughtful, open conversation.