LawWorks report reveals scale of problems caused by legal aid cuts

Funding cuts to legal aid and free legal advice centres, along with the introduction of court and tribunal fees have reduced less affluent people’s ability to access legal representation and put a huge strain on pro bono clinics, a report by LawWorks has revealed.

LawWorks, the national solicitors’ pro bono charity, produced the report which shows both the scale of the problems and the laudable efforts of lawyers, students and others to help vulnerable people to access justice, which theoretically is supposed to be available to all. The report revealed that some 4,500 people volunteered across LawWorks’ 219 clinics over the last year, an increase of 25% from the previous year. However, the increase in volunteers was more than met by the increased demand placed on advice centres, which received 43,000 individual enquiries from people who would otherwise be denied justice by the government – a rise of 55% on the previous year’s figures.

The cuts were also shown to be most affecting the people who are least able to cope with them. The report showed that 64% of those 43,000 enquiries were made by people with incomes less than the minimum poverty threshold of £16,284 a year set by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Clearly, the government’s policies are resulting in a justice system that is only open to those who are well-off enough to pay the high fees charged by the courts and solicitors – aside from the huge efforts of those giving their expertise for free (and sadly even this can never fill the gaping hole in services left by the legal aid cuts), the poorest are being left to suffer.

All the more reason to praise those doing their best to keep the justice system working in their own time. Martin Barnes, chief executive of LawWorks, said: “Pro bono, while it makes an important and profound contribution to enabling access to justice, is not – and should not be seen as – an alternative to funding for local law centres and advice agencies or legal aid. Pro bono works most effectively when it compliments and supports wider legal and advice provision – and is tailored to best meet need. It also needs an ‘infrastructure’ to flourish and survive, not least local organisations or groups able to facilitate, host or support pro bono volunteers. The clinics in the LawWorks Clinic Network should be rightfully proud of the work they do and the positive contribution they make. We would like to thank the thousands of pro bono volunteers, and the advice workers, staff and volunteers that make each clinic possible.”