Mark Neary Won case against Hillingdon council detaining his autistic son in careThe changes to legal aid mean people will have to represent themselves, but it's hard to fight on your own ? the legislation can be impenetrable, you have the emotional pressure of the hearing and, as a layperson, you suddenly have to be on top of complex law. The psychological impact is immense. You have hours in the witness box, you're verbally attacked ? you have to defend yourself and be very resilient. Imagine doing that without counsel.

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