Free legal advice centres awarded £11.5 million in emergency funding
updated on 30 November 2020
The Community Justice Fund has given out more than £11.5 million to 178 legal advice organisations across the UK to support them through the pandemic and help them deal with the rise in demand from local communities.
This is the first round of funding that the Community Justice Fund has paid out and is part of a joint initiative between Advice UK, Law Centres Network, Citizens Advice, front line advice organisations, and a group of independent funders, which was established during the pandemic.
The Ministry of Justice and the National Lottery Community Fund donated around £5.4 million and £5 million respectively.
Organisations, including law centres, local Citizens Advice branches, independent advice agencies and national charities received grants between May and September 2020, with a second round of funding also planned.
Chief executive of the Access to Justice Foundation Ruth Daniel said: “The pandemic has shone a spotlight both on the importance of the sector and its fragility, and we are aware that this is only the beginning of support required for the challenging times ahead. We are currently forward-planning and actively fundraising for the second round of Community Justice Fund grants.
“We’re very interested in hearing from outside parties looking to support our longer-term ambition to strengthen the sector and ensure it remains sustainable for those who need it both during the crisis and in the future.”
