Law Society campaigns for more investment in civil legal aid to help level the playing field

News

The Law Society of England and Wales is urging the government to invest more money to help restore civil legal aid and ensure everyone has access to this vital public service.

Launching its civil legal aid campaign today, the Law Society recognised that the government has taken positive steps to increase civil legal aid fees for housing and immigration. However, further investment is needed across all areas including family, community care, inquests and mental health.

Research by the Law Society, Legal Services Board and YouGov* reveals that people experiencing domestic abuse are less likely to understand their legal rights, know where to obtain legal advice or have confidence in achieving a good outcome. More than half (55%) of adults with a domestic abuse issue received no legal support and of those, 54% tried but were unsuccessful**.

The Law Society’s new legal aid desert map*** shows more than 42 million people in England and Wales – nearly 70% of the population – are denied access to a community care legal aid provider in their area.

Law Society president Richard Atkinson said: “Civil legal aid is a crucial service that protects people and communities and reduces the strain on other public services.

“By throwing a legal lifeline to everyone who needs it, we strengthen families, protect children and provide better care for people in our communities.

“Access to legal advice is of the utmost importance, particularly in cases involving domestic abuse, community care and mental health treatment disputes. Unfortunately, many people in these situations often struggle to obtain legal support and vital legal aid services are closing down.

“The government must properly fund all areas of civil legal aid, a vital public service, to help level the playing field and ensure a fairer society for all.”

The Law Society’s campaign is calling on the government to take immediate action to properly fund civil legal aid as well as:

• the reinstatement of early legal advice for separating families, ensuring quick resolution of issues and reducing costly, stressful court battles
• guaranteed legal aid for both survivors and the accused in family law cases involving allegations of abuse, ensuring fair representation for all parties
• increased legal aid fees for family law, mental health, community care and other critical areas to attract and retain legal aid providers
• a fair means test that doesn’t leave people living in poverty priced out of accessing justice

Notes to editor

*Law Society, LSB, YouGov, Legal Needs Survey dataset 2023 on domestic abuse, child protection and issues or disputes relating to treatment for mental health.

**See bar chart below:

***See the Law Society’s legal aid desert map.

Read more about how to join our civil legal aid campaign. Together, we can ensure legal aid serves the public as it was intended – and levels the playing field for everyone who needs it.