Legal Network

About the Legal Network

The network explores how DDPOs can best use case law and legislation in their advice, advocacy, policy and campaigns work. The network also aims to build effective partnership working between lawyers and DDPOs, including identifying strategic issues that may benefit from legal action.

The network meets quarterly on priority themes identified by DDPOs. Past network themes have included:

    – The Care Act
    – Disability Hate Crime
    – Inclusive education
    – Using the UN Convention of rights of people with disabilities (UNCRPD)
    – Using the law to challenge cuts to DDPOs.

Network members hear expert contributions from lawyers and disability rights activists, have the chance to discuss and debate and have time at the end of each meeting to network with lawyers.

Who can join this network?

You can attend the DDPO Legal network if you are an individual representing a DDPO or a wider disability sector organisation. A maximum of two representatives from each organisation can attend the quarterly meetings.

Lawyers and solicitors are also welcome to attend.

Interested in joining?

Please contact Svetlana Kotova:
[email protected]

Topic: Using the law to challenge discrimination during assessments for benefits

Topic: Using the law to challenge discrimination during assessments for benefits

At this meeting we discussed what more we could do and how we could use the Equality Act 2010 more effectively.
Topic: Creative Use of the Equality Act 2010

Topic: Creative Use of the Equality Act 2010

At this meeting we discussed how the Equality Act 2010 can be used to challenge discrimination in housing, benefits and other public functions.

Topic: Direct payments

Topic: Direct payments

At this meeting we discussed some of the most common problems with direct payments (DP) and the ways to deal with those problems.
Topic: The law on commissioning and how we can use it to protect services delivered by DDPOs

Topic: The law on commissioning and how we can use it to protect services delivered by DDPOs

At this meeting we discussed how DDPOs and Disabled people can use the law to influence the commissioning process and the existing mechanisms the commissioners can use to protect services delivered by Disabled people for Disabled people.
Topic: Involving Disabled people in decision-making processes

Topic: Involving Disabled people in decision-making processes

At this meeting we discussed legal duties on local authorities and Clinical Commissioning Groups to engage with and involve Disabled people and our organisations in decision-making processes. 
Topic: Disabled people’s housing rights

Topic: Disabled people’s housing rights

At this meeting we discussed Disabled people’s right to an accessible home. We looked at: Local authorities’ duties to provide accommodation under the Housing Act 1996 and the Care Act 2014 and how those duties can be used to secure an accessible home. The legal framework related to improving the accessibility of the existing homes, […]
Topic: The wellbeing duty in the Care Act: what it means and does it make a difference?

Topic: The wellbeing duty in the Care Act: what it means and does it make a difference?

At our Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisations Legal Network meeting on the 18th of May we discussed the wellbeing duty (section 1 of the Care Act 2014).  We also spoke about the rights Disabled people have at different stages of the process and the implications of the recent case of Davey v Oxfordshire County Council.  […]
Topic: Using the Equality Act 2010 to improve access to public transport

Topic: Using the Equality Act 2010 to improve access to public transport

After a historic victory for Disabled people in a recent Supreme Court case of FirstGoup Plc v Paulley meaning that bus drivers will have to take more action to make sure wheelchair users have priority over a wheelchair space, we discussed how we to build on this success and use the law to ensure all Disabled […]
Disability Justice Project Launch 

Disability Justice Project Launch 

On 3 November we launched our Disability Justice Project  which will build the capacity of DDPOs to use the law to fight for our rights.  We were delighted to see so many lawyers and DDPOs at the launch. We heard that although the laws that protect us from discrimination and guarantee our human rights are […]
Topic: Nearly a year on, is the Care Act working?

Topic: Nearly a year on, is the Care Act working?

Understanding the Care Act key rights and top tips Presentation Key points from DDPO Legal Network meeting 8 March FAQ for ILF users and other people with high support needs Care Act 2014 briefing FOI responseFINAL 2015-00887