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- £12 million to help vulnerable people struggling with legal problems
- Focus on early intervention to resolve issues before going to court
- 33,000 are supported as of October 2020
The funding will be given to charities and organizations providing support for people facing disputes – helping them better understand their issues and avoid costly court proceedings.
More than 33,000 people have been supported by similar government-funded organizations since October 2020, and nearly two-thirds of cases were resolved before reaching court.
Justice Minister Lord Bellamy said:
Those who need support most should be able to access it quickly and easily, which is why we are increasing funding for organizations that provide this vital service.
Early intervention helps prevent people from going through lengthy court proceedings – saving time, money and unnecessary stress.
It adds more than £5 million in investment this year, including a £1 million cost-of-living grant, to help organizations respond to growing demand for free legal advice. Specialist guidance is provided in person, by telephone or online to help deal with problems before they escalate or to support those who need to attend court.
The grant will replace the current Help Accessing Legal Support grant of £3.2 million which is due to expire in June 2023.
The fund benefits people in difficult situations, including Helen (not her real name), who was supported by a grant-funded organization after leaving an abusive relationship. She suffered constant harassment from her ex-partner and contacted her local free advice charity which provided guidance on navigating family court proceedings. Helen was able to secure protective court orders aimed at restricting her ex-partner’s access to the family home and preventing violent behavior against her and her daughter.
Helen said:
[The advisor] Gave me sound legal advice to help me make choices to keep me safe and get my home back.
If I didn’t have access [advice] It is possible that I would not have had the courage or sense to go to court to seek these orders, or worse, that I would have returned to an abusive and unstable relationship because I would have had no other choice.
This legal aid is provided by organizations across the country, using funds where they are needed.
Cara Walker, Mobile Legal Adviser at Norfolk Community Law Service, said:
Providing outreach legal aid to people in a large rural county like Norfolk is important. Ministry of Justice funding enables me to work with clients on a long-term basis in community settings who have complex legal issues including welfare benefits, domestic abuse and immigration.
Cathy Ashley, Chief Executive of the Family Rights Group, said:
Our advice and advocacy service provides social care and legal expertise to families, including parents whose children are in need or subject to a child protection inquiry and relatives raising children who cannot live at home.
The Help Accessing Legal Support grant funds our new webchat service for families and enables us to provide more intensive support to callers to our advice line, allowing more children to live and thrive safely in their families and those already in care. Safely prevents entry into the system. In an emergency.
More information on how charities and organizations can bid for funding will be made available shortly.
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