Government must support families with more funding for civil legal aid
06 Jan 2026
Less than 1 minute read
News
The Law Society of England and Wales has today (6 January) highlighted how civil legal aid helps level the playing field for families, as it gave oral evidence to the Justice Committee on access to justice and legal aid.
Richard Miller, the Law Society’s head of justice, spoke to the committee of MPs on behalf of the legal profession.
“Civil legal aid is a vital public service that supports our communities and reduces the strain on other public services,” said Law Society president Mark Evans.
“Legal advice helps people to get the protection and support they are entitled to, particularly in cases involving domestic abuse. Unfortunately, many people struggle to find legal support, and essential legal aid services are closing down due to government underfunding.”
The latest family court statistics* show domestic violence orders continue to rise. There were 9,849 domestic violence protection orders, an increase of 13% compared to the same quarter in 2024.
Mark Evans added: “Survivors of domestic abuse need support to navigate the complex legal landscape and obtain protection orders.
“We welcome the government’s long-awaited Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategy, which will help protect women and girls from abuse and violence.
“However, if the government wants this strategy to succeed, it must ensure survivors can access legal advice, while resourcing and supporting fast and fair family courts.
“The government has a chance to properly fund civil legal aid, to help domestic abuse survivors access justice. This can only be achieved through further investment in civil legal aid and court resources, which will provide vital legal support to our communities, help families secure safe arrangements for children to thrive and reduce court delays.”
The Law Society is the independent professional body that works globally to support and represent solicitors, promoting the highest professional standards, the public interest and the rule of law.