There is growing demand for free legal advice, according to the latest report from LawWorks, the solicitors’ national pro bono charity.
In the year to March 2016, clinics in the LawWorks Clinics Network responded to over 53,000 enquiries, a 24% increase on the previous year. While the sector faces increasing challenges it is encouraging that the clinics are being supported by over 4,800 volunteers, a 5% increase on last year, demonstrating the profession’s commitment to pro bono and enabling access to justice. Over 35,000 clients were given legal advice at a clinic, an increase of 25% on the previous year and a further 11,000 clients were given general information or signposted or referred to other services. Part of this increase will be due to the 21% growth in the clinics network over the year.
The report confirms that clinics are supporting some of the most vulnerable individuals in society, with 85% of clinic clients reporting a household income below the Joseph Rowntree Foundation Minimum Income Standard threshold of £17,100. Over a quarter (27%) of clinic clients identified as having one or more disabilities and 57% of clients accessing clinics were from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds. Individuals are presenting with a range of legal problems, with significant increases in enquiries relating to family law and asylum and immigration.
Family law overtook employment and housing law over the last year to become the most common area in which advice is provided, rising 37% compared to the previous year. There has also been a notable growth in asylum and immigration advice which has seen a 45% increase over the last year.
The report analyses the pro bono work being delivered across the LawWorks Clinics Network between April 2015 and March 2016. Three years on from the implementation of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012, which resulted in an almost 80% reduction in the number of cases funded by civil legal aid, the report illustrates the important role pro bono clinics play in the access to justice landscape across England & Wales. While free legal advice clinics cannot be and should not become a substitute for legal aid, clinics report that they are experiencing considerable growth in the demand for their services from the public.
LawWorks supports a growing network of over 220 local independent pro bono advice clinics across England and Wales and the report highlights the contribution lawyers, law students and others make to some of the most vulnerable individuals and communities in society. Cuts to legal aid, reduced funding for law centres and local services and the introduction of tribunal and court fees have reduced the ability of many to access legal advice and representation.
The Clinics Network Report highlights the range of projects across the LawWorks network. Each clinic is unique and identifies the model that works best for the local community and the volunteers’ skills and expertise, but generally involves a partnership bringing together law firms, individual solicitors, in-house legal teams, barristers, legal executives and law schools, working with advice agencies and charities.
Martin Barnes, LawWorks CEO said ‘Our report highlights the important and growing contribution of legal volunteers in providing free legal advice and enabling access to justice. While pro bono is not an alternative to legal aid, a growing network of local clinics make a positive difference for thousands of people who would otherwise struggle to access advice and support.
A legal problem does not have to be complex to be potentially life changing or to be daunting. Not every legal problem can be solved or solved satisfactorily, but the advice pro bono clinics provide can improve lives for the better. The clinics in the LawWorks Clinic Network should be rightfully proud of the work they do and the positive contribution they make. We would like to recognise and celebrate the thousands of pro bono volunteers, and the advice workers, staff and volunteers that make each clinic possible.’
The full LawWorks Clinics Report can be accessed at the following link:
https://www.lawworks.org.uk/solicitors-and-volunteers/resources/lawworks-clinics-network-report-april-2015-march-2016
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Notes to editors
- LawWorks is a charity working in England and Wales to connect volunteer lawyers both with people in need of legal advice, who are not eligible for legal aid and cannot afford to pay, and with the not for profit organisations that support them and their communities. LawWorks believes in the power of pro bono legal advice to improve the lives of people in need. For additional information about LawWorks, please visit: www.lawworks.org.uk
- The clinics in the LawWorks Network are independent and self-managed. LawWorks supports the development of new clinics, from initial idea stage through to piloting and launch, as well as providing ongoing support (including troubleshooting), information and resources for established clinics. Resources for clinics in the Network include free access to legal research tools, secure document storage solutions, as well as factsheets, toolkits, and access to training (including online videos and podcasts).
- LawWorks is supported by the Law Society of England and Wales, the independent professional body for solicitors.
- Press contact: Valerie Hudson t: 020 7 092 3952 or 07960 575 679 e: valerie.hudson@lawworks.org.uk