Justice out of reach for many as legal aid cuts take toll, report says

Cuts to legal aid and years of underfunding have left people without the help they need from the justice system, a new report has warned. 

A new review led by researchers at University College London (UCL) found people are facing complicated court and tribunal processes without legal advice or support. 

Published on Friday and commissioned by the Nuffield Foundation, the report said the lack of help was affecting people’s ability to understand their cases and take part fully, with vulnerable people among those most affected. 

However, problems were not only linked to legal aid cuts, but also issues within the justice system, including unclear information, inconsistent support and complex procedures. 

Drastic legal aid cuts started happening after the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act was introduced in 2012. The legislation removed areas of civil law from public funding, which resulted in an 82% reduction of welfare advice.

Some people using the justice system without legal representation reported feeling ‘out of place, like outsiders’, the report found. 

Dr Anna Tsalapatanis, lead author of the report, said: ‘People are often not given the information, emotional support and practical help they need, leaving many without a clear understanding of what to expect or how to properly understand legal processes and take part in their case.

‘This risks undermining both access to justice and confidence in the system, with vulnerable individuals disproportionately affected.’

The report highlighted access to affordable legal advice had been restricted by changes to eligibility, fewer available providers and cuts across legal services. 

Against this backdrop, it’s calling for reform of the justice system, including better access to early advice and increased investment in legal aid. 

Rob Street, Director of Justice at the Nuffield Foundation, added: ‘This report highlights a justice system that many people find confusing, stressful and difficult to navigate, due to poor information, patchy support and complex processes, and underlines the importance of making it more focused on the needs of the people who use it.

‘Through our Public Right to Justice work, we are highlighting where the system is falling short and coming up with solutions to make justice more accessible, efficient and effective for everyone.’

Image: Tingey Injury Law Firm/UnSplash 

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