£41. That’s how much a couple with two children will need to be surviving on per day to qualify for full legal aid next year – which is 57% below the minimum income standard. This is a finding from a recent report that we published today. The 2023 Means Test Review promised to address this problem, but the previous government delayed changes until 2026. In the King’s speech, the government pledged to reduce homelessness and violence against women and girls. These pledges cannot be fulfilled unless it introduces the changes that have already been agreed and budgeted for. Action must be taken to improve access to justice for millions. Find out more about the Means Test Review here: https://ow.ly/kTsS50SHf7V
Allan Jamieson
1mo
Interesting how the public is conditioned that access to health is a 'right', but not access to justice. That has to change before the politicians will listen. Just too few votes in it for them.
Sarah Harrison
1mo
The removal of legal aid eligibility for so many by the Labour Government was a catastrophic error. It was obvious then and many of us made representations at the time which were ignored. Let's see if they reverse that error
Absolutely disheartening that a family with two children would need to survive on such a ridiculous budget to qualify for full legal aid. The fact that this amount falls significantly below the minimum income standard makes justice inaccessible to those in need. These important societal goals can only be realized by improving access to justice for those in need. The government always seems to have generous and resilient budgets for defence, but when it comes to budgets for those in need, they become primitive and frugal.
Heledd Wyn
1mo
It is abysmal. I cut my advocacy teeth on all manner of legally aided family matters. I had rights of audience as a trainee and it was a huge privilege to be able to go to court for my clients and represent them. It was a baton passed from trainee to trainee and yes it was tough & scary - but looking back nothing like as appalling as not even having representation at all (the judges were brilliant and patient with us!)
Richard Cherry
1mo
My reaction as someone who does a lot of legal aid is pretty much unprintable. That's one reason I end up taking on good cases basically pro bono. Not actually much different from legal aid rates anyway...
Barbara Hecht
1mo
It is common sense that legal aid levels in family law are ridiculous. The only expense taken into account is housing (and that’s capped if you’re single) + a random £45 if employed. Disposable monthly income capped at £733. Don’t need to be an accountant to work out that if barristers won’t step into court for less than £1500 + VAT and solicitors don’t charge less than £250 + VAY per hour, paying privately is not an option for the vast majority of workers. This is then compounded by those that are financially eligible needing ‘gateway evidence’ of domestic abuse. The whole civil legal aid system needs review and reform.
Amritpal Gill
1mo
To have only that much between four people - a £10/person per day mark is immensely cruel. I hope this is rectified but honestly doubt it will be, it isn't a priority and while billions are spent on the NHS - wastefully, such as for PPE - Legal Aid is constantly cut until it is impractical and useless.
Emma Mack
1mo
Access to legal representation is a cornerstone of justice and the rule of law. Without it, there is no justice. We CAN change this. We MUST change this.
Nan Tewari
1mo
In this day and age of computerisation /digital /AI and the like, it ought to be within the bounds of possibility to ensure the means-test amounts are automatically aligned with movements in the minimum income standard. #CommonSense #PublicPolicy #Governance .
Striving for justice - Partner in Dispute Resolution & Professional Negligence
1moThe failure to deal with violence against women and girls is embarrassingly embedded in our 'justice' system. These women and girls are systematically failed at every twist and turn. The problems start so much earlier than the point at which they apply for legal aid, that's even if they bother to apply, after being let down by the individuals, organisations and bodies who are meant to be there to protect them. There are so many non profit organisations campaigning for basic rights, support and access to justice. I hope the government listens to them and delivers.