Legal aid

Years of underinvestment have brought the justice system to its knees. Victims, defendants and witnesses are suffering the consequences while hardworking solicitors are forced out of the sector. We're fighting for properly funded legal aid and investment in a justice system that is available for all.

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Criminal legal aid: £24m welcome first step to tackle crisis

Increased funding for legal aid solicitors working in police stations and youth courts brings hope to the criminal defence profession.

Find out more about the funding
Richard Atkinson is a white man with short, dark grey hair. He wears a navy suit, a white shirt and a dark blue polka dot tie.

What we're asking for

As the professional body for solicitors, we amplify the powerful collective voice of more than 200,000 solicitors by advocating at the highest levels of the issues you've told us matter most.

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Legal aid means test review

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Civil legal aid review

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Criminal legal aid review

News and articles

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Legal Ombudsman business plan and budget 2025/26 – Law Society response

The Legal Ombudsman has made some welcome progress in reducing its case backlog. However, we're concerned about the pace of change and proposals to increase its budget by over 10%.

13 Dec 2024

Investment crucial to cut backlog and ensure timely justice is delivered

If the public is to get the fair, efficient and timely justice we deserve, there must be sustained investment in all parts of the crisis-hit criminal justice system.

12 Dec 2024

Westminster update: evidence to Parliament on digital assets

Your weekly update on all the latest developments and debates in Parliament and across Whitehall. This week: evidence on digital assets, new ministers appointed, smart data and the prime minister's Plan for Change.

09 Dec 2024

Tender for civil legal aid contracts reopens

Civil legal aid providers now have another opportunity to bid for contracts, with no fixed deadline to apply.

04 Dec 2024

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All resources

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Map showing areas of England and Wales with 6 of fewer housing legal aid providers (March 2023) - most of the map is red or orange to show a shortage or desert

Legal aid deserts

Our updated heatmaps show how funding cuts have left large areas of England and Wales without access to advice.

Explore the maps
Map showing areas of England and Wales with 6 of fewer housing legal aid providers (March 2023) - most of the map is red or orange to show a shortage or desert

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