A new analysis of access to solicitors and lawyers for disadvantaged communities has found England’s biggest county has some huge provision gaps.
According to The Yorkshire Post, the Public Accounts Committee of MPs has ‘deep concern’ that people are finding it harder to secure legal aid for advice family mediation, and court representation. The problem spans the country, although a number of authorities in North East England were found to be particularly lacking.
Barnsley, Doncaster, and Rotherham in South Yorkshire, the East Riding of Yorkshire and Hull were all found to have little-to-no face-to-face legal support, which many rely on for housing assistance and debt guidance. Instead, outreach arrangements are in place with neighbouring areas, essentially meaning the Legal Aid Agency has to import services from elsewhere in the county.
‘Whilst we continue our efforts to secure local provision, those requiring services can access them through the national Civil Legal Advice telephone or instruct providers in neighbouring procurement areas either in person or remotely,’ Dr Jo Farrer, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Justice, told The Yorkshire Post.
Image: Tingey Injury Law Firm / Unsplash
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