Initiative promises legal advice for those without lawyers in courts 

A network of in-court advice centres providing support for unrepresented litigants in civil and family law cases is to be funded by the Ministry of Justice and expanded to cover the whole country.

There has been a surge in the number of “litigants in person” – those who do not have lawyers to argue on their behalf. As many as 650,000 people were deprived of support by changes to legal aid, in most cases involving family disputes, welfare benefits, clinical negligence, employment, housing, debt, immigration and education.

The problem is most acute in the family courts where relationship breakdowns often require parents to take immediate action.

In an interview with the Guardian, Hughes said: “There are a lot of people going to court who don’t feel supported enough and feel in need of legal help. There’s unlikely to be money coming back into legal aid in the near future.

“But people in the legal profession said they thought they could put together a package that would give support to litigants in person. We have managed to liberate money from a difficult economic situation.
“This will cover the whole country. It’s the best value for money and where the profession thought it would be most helpful. I believe it will be the most significant difference we can make in support for litigants.”

Part of the aim is to encourage claimants, particularly in separation and divorce cases, to resolve differences outside court, particularly through mediation. Working with Cafcass, the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service, a telephone and online advice service will be provided to help steer claimants in the right direction.

Law schools at universities are increasingly taking up what is known as ‘clinical legal education’, encouraging students to help – under supervision – those who cannot afford to hire lawyers.

Source: theguardian- Initiative promises legal advice for those without lawyers in courts

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