LawWorks report 55 per cent rise in demand for free legal advice

Demand for free legal advice has never been greater following cuts to legal aid, reduced funding for law centres, and the introduction of tribunal and court fees, according to a new report.

Two years on from the implementation of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act (LASPO) 2012, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has recorded an almost 80 per cent reduction in the number of cases funded by civil legal aid.

The latest report from LawWorks, the solicitors' national pro bono charity, has emphasised the positive impact lawyers, law students, and others are having on local communities across its network of clinics in England and Wales.

More than 4,500 individuals volunteered at clinics across the LawWorks network last year highlighting the sector's commitment to ensuring access to justice for those most in need.

Over 43,000 individual enquiries were made between April 2014 and March 2015, a 55 per cent increase on the previous year. Ninety-five per cent of clinics reported an increase in demand for advice.

By 31 March 2015, there were 219 clinics in the LawWorks network, an increase of 25 per cent on the previous year. The clinics help with a range of legal problems, with significant increases in concerns relating to family law, asylum and immigration, housing law, and employment.

Those considered most vulnerable are being supported with 64 per cent of clinic clients reporting a household income below £16,284.

Martin Barnes, LawWorks's CEO, recognised the 'positive contribution' pro bono volunteers make but reinforced that the kindness of lawyers should not be an alternative to government funded aid.

'Pro bono, while it makes an important and profound contribution to enabling access to justice, is not - and should not be seen as - an alternative to funding for local law centres and advice agencies or legal aid.'

He explained: 'Pro bono works most effectively when it compliments and supports wider legal and advice provision - and is tailored to best meet need.'

David Raeburn, director of programmes at LawWorks, added: 'With so many of the legal advice agencies that typically host pro bono clinics operating at reduced capacity in recent years, we have been working with an increasing number of non-legal charities seeking to support people with legal issues.

'The variety of projects across the country is broad, with each pro bono clinic identifying the model that works best for the local community and volunteers' skills and expertise.'

Matthew Rogers is an editorial assistant at Solicitors Journal matthew.rogers@solicitorsjournal.co.uk