- 33,000 people helped to tackle family, housing and debt
problems
- Over £3 million has helped support more people in need
- Part of £25 million package of funding to boost legal support
since 2015
Support has helped with a total of 36,000 issues over the last 2
years. This has saved thousands of people the stress and expense
of a court hearing.
It has offered vital support to people facing issues such as
house repossession, managing debt, or seeking help over childcare
or custody agreements.
An evaluation report published today (17 November 2023) shows the
majority of those seeking support were women and nearly everyone
coming to advisors found the right help.
The early legal advice led to increased income for those who were
directed to help like the carers’ allowances, and people
reporting feelings of greater independence and improved
wellbeing.
Justice Minister KC said:
This funding ensures people have somewhere to turn to regardless
of their financial circumstances and can avoid stressful court
battles.
Now research shows that not only can early legal advice help
people solve their problems quickly, but can also improve their
finances and health.
The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) has provided over £25 million to
organisations providing legal support for litigants in person
since 2015. The £3.2 million 2 year scheme was launched in 2020
between the MOJ and Access to Justice Foundation.
Clare Carter, CEO of Access to Justice Foundation, said:
We are delighted to be continuing our partnership with Ministry
of Justice to strive to ensure that people most in need of early
legal advice are able to access it.
We know from legal advice charities across England and Wales how
crucial this funding has been to help people access income,
preserve employment and secure housing. Demand for these services
is increasing by up to 50 percent across the sector, so the needs
for these funds has never been more acute.
The research is published as the Lord Chancellor speaks at the Civil Justice
Council National Forum about the importance of early intervention
for those facing legal issues.
Other activity supported by the government include a partnership
between the MOJ and Citizens Advice to deliver the Flourish
Wellbeing Hub in the Wirral which provides access to early legal
advice alongside healthcare provision to tackle complex or
multiple issues in one space.
The Hub opened in November 2022 and will continue to benefit from
a total of £145,000 of MOJ investment up to 2025.
Social welfare and legal advice is provided through organisations
including Citizens Advice, Involve Northwest and Age UK, who can
quickly work together with other partners Mind UK and Grow Change
Live to identify solutions and provide the right support before
problems worsen.
Reports into supportive initiatives run by the department are
published today online here:
Flourish Wellbeing Hub
Report
Housing Disrepair Online
Signposting Tool Report
Legal Support for
Litigants in Person Report
Integrated Advice Hubs
Report
