This is now the archive site of the PLEAS Task Force. For current and future information on public legal education, go to the new Public Legal Education Network (Plenet) website at www.plenet.org.uk.
As a result of the work of PLEAS we have now established a new Public Legal Education Network (Plenet) to implement the recommendations of the PLEAS Task Force.
Plenet is for all individuals and organisations who are keen to develop and make better use of PLE. Plenet has its own website - www.plenet.org.uk - with information, news, and opportunities to contribute materials and discuss and debate PLE issues with fellow practitioners and others.
ALL PLEAS documents will continue to be available for download here, including the PLEAS report.
Background to the PLEAS Task Force
The Public Legal Education and Support (PLEAS) Task Force was set up in January 2006 to develop proposals for how to promote and improve public legal education. The Task Force was supported by the Department for Constitutional Affairs – now the Ministry of Justice – and drew its membership from organisations and groups with a real interest in helping to improve public legal education.
The Task Force met from January 2006 for a year, and completed its work in July 2007 with the publication of the report ‘Creating capable citizens: the role of public legal education’. The Task Force Report and a 2 page summary of it can be downloaded in PDF format from this website.
The report’s main recommendation was for a development strategy for pubic legal education (PLE) to be led by a new PLE organisation.
What is ‘public legal education’
Public legal education provides people with awareness, knowledge and understanding of rights and legal issues, together with the confidence and skills they need to deal with disputes and gain access to justice.
Public legal education is not only about helping people to help themselves. People also need to know when they really do need help and support with a problem, what sorts of advice and support there are, how to go about getting it.
What PLE can achieve
Public legal education works to ensure that people:
- are aware of their legal rights and responsibilities and can recognise where the law can provide a remedy;
- understand key legal issues and processes;
- have the confidence and skills deal with their problems;
- and know where to go to get help.
Professor Dame Hazel Genn DBE
Chair, PLEAS Task Force
May 2008