The money will be distributed to those most in need
through not for profit organisations and Law Centres
across England and Wales.
We are already seeing an increase in people seeking
advice for social welfare cases during the coronavirus
outbreak and this is expected to further increase demand
from the legal support sector.
This funding will therefore help organisations to
continue to provide vital legal advice throughout the
pandemic, increase capacity, and deliver services
remotely.
Justice Minister, said:
Law Centres and charities in the advice sector play a
vital role in helping people access justice and resolve
their legal problems. That is why they should be
supported to continue to operate safely and effectively
during the Covid-19 pandemic
This additional £5.4 million support fund will help do
just that – giving providers the support they need to
boost remote capability and help as many people as
possible during these challenging times.
Funding allocated to the Community Justice Fund will be
administered by the Access to Justice Foundation and the
Law Centres Network will oversee funding earmarked for
law centres.
This is in addition to a recently signed grant agreement
to provide more than £3.1m in funding to organisations
that support unrepresented defendants in the courts,
known as Litigants in Person.
Specialist legal advice providers focuses mainly on areas
of social welfare law, for example housing, debt,
employment, discrimination and special educational needs.
Chief Executive, The Access to Justice Foundation, Ruth
Daniel said:
We are delighted with this support for specialist
social welfare legal advice agencies who are providing
essential help to people and communities at this
difficult time. The Community Justice Fund will work in
partnership with the sector to support organisations
with their response to the current challenges they are
facing and aims to help the sector to emerge from it
stronger and more resilient than it was before the
crisis.
The Law Centres Network, Chair, Helen Rogers said:
We thank the government for this vital support, which
will allow Law Centres to continue to defend people’s
homes, lives and livelihoods. The pandemic’s uneven
impact is a grim reminder of the deep inequality in our
society that affects every aspect of life. This support
recognises the key role of legal assistance in reducing
inequality and bringing justice for all.
