Save our legal aid – because justice needs a level playing field

The problem

After decades of underfunding by our government, legal aid is not working. It’s too hard to access – and legal aid providers are folding nationwide.

Any of us can end up in a situation where we need legal advice but can’t afford a lawyer.

Maybe we’re separating from our partner. This can involve tough decisions about our children and finances.

Or maybe it’s about making sure everyone plays by the rules. Like if our local council is overcharging us for care services we rely on every day.

Legal aid should be there to help us in these moments. We could get advice from a lawyer early on and resolve our problem sooner.

But instead, things get worse. Legal problems go on to disrupt our lives – from our health and homes to our families and futures. 

Despite some new investment, legal aid funding remains well short of where it needs to be.

This is most obvious in areas such as family law, community care, inquests and mental health. 

It doesn’t have to be this way. Government investment in legal aid can create a level playing field for our communities once more.

What we can achieve

Our members are solicitors on the frontline. They tell us how hard things are right now, for them, their clients and the communities they serve.

The sooner we act, the greater the benefits for our communities.

Benefits such as:

• ensuring no one must face a court hearing alone when they can’t afford a lawyer
• providing timely support to resolve legal problems before they escalate
• strengthening families and protecting children, leading to more stable communities
• ensuring fairer treatment and better access to care for all

We’ve worked with the profession to identify clear gaps. Even a modest investment can help level the playing field for many of us in tough situations.

Our campaign focuses on securing urgent funding for legal aid that supports:

• families navigating separation or crisis
• people detained in hospital under mental health laws
• disabled adults and children whose access to care depends on specialist legal advice
• bereaved families fighting for answers and accountability at inquests

We can only do this together. So, we’re building a broad coalition of organisations to work with us. Each one shares our belief that our government must fund and protect legal aid.

Over 200,000 solicitors across England and Wales back us. We have national reach and diverse expertise. This is what we’ll harness to demand proper investment in this vital public service.

What we’re asking for

We need our government to act now to fund legal aid.

They must invest £132 million to save and restore this vital public service.

To meet the needs of our communities, we urge them to:

1. reinstate early legal advice for separating families, ensuring quick resolution of issues and reducing costly, stressful court battles
2. guarantee legal aid for both survivors and the accused in family law cases involving serious allegations of abuse, ensuring fair representation for all parties
3. increase legal aid fees for family law, mental health, community care, and other critical areas to attract and retain legal aid providers
4. remove the unfair means test for critical cases such as mental health, child protection, and special guardianship, guaranteeing access to justice for those of us in vulnerable situations

Together, we can ensure legal aid serves the public as it was intended – a lifeline for everyone who needs it.

How you can help

Join our campaign.

Raise awareness – help spread the word about the importance of legal aid as a vital public service.

Support the cause – stand with us in protecting access to justice for all.

Together, we can ensure legal aid serves the public as it was intended – a lifeline for everyone who needs it.