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The need for free legal advice has been growing exponentially since the pandemic and the continuing cost-of-living crisis, with some advice organisations reporting a doubling in the demand for their services.
According to the Legal Needs Survey 2023, 66% of people have experienced at least one legal issue in the last four years. Almost half all those seeking advice report being disabled.
Facing a legal issue can be the most stressful and anxiety filled time of someone’s life. If you do not have the means to pay for, or have access to, good quality free legal advice and have a disability, this stress is magnified.
Ryan Turner of Maitland Chambers says: ‘It can be very difficult for a litigant in person to understand court processes and to prepare the necessary documents and bundles for a hearing.
‘Therefore, quality pro bono services are essential in helping people to navigate the legal system and deal with their legal issues.’
The Access to Justice Foundation was established by the Bar Council, Advice Services Alliance, CILEX and The Law Society to be the recipient of pro bono costs orders. We use the funding from the costs orders and other sources to award grants to advice organisations providing free legal advice to the most marginalised individuals, communities and places.
As a result of funds gained through pro bono costs orders alone, more than £1 million in grants has gone to provide pro bono services to those that need it most.
Our latest grants round – funded primarily from pro bono costs orders – was focused mainly on those offering pro bono provision for disabled people. We will announce the recipients of these awards in October 2024.
Thanks to additional fundraising in the last two years, over £13 million has been awarded to increase resource for those facing social welfare issues such as housing, debt and immigration.
Liz Chahal, CEO of the Leicester Community Advice and Law Centre says: ‘The Access to Justice Foundation has a unique recognition that organisations need a stable infrastructure to deliver support and build innovative partnerships to help those that need it most.’
However, as the only national charity solely focused on funding free legal advice across the UK, the demand consistently outstrips the funds available.
The Access to Justice Foundation welcomes the support of the legal community to continue to make the case and raise funds to move towards a society where everyone has access to justice.
Better, more consistent application of pro bono costs orders by those offering free legal representation can lead to more funding for free legal advice.
Pro bono costs orders are just like ordinary legal costs but are available where a party received free of charge legal representation provided by a solicitor, advocate or acted as a litigant in person in England and Wales.
If a civil case is won with pro bono help, pro bono costs can be ordered by the court or tribunal or included in settlements. Pro bono costs cover any period when free of charge representation was provided, and the amount is based on what a paying client would recover.
Unlike ordinary costs, pro bono costs are, by statute, payable to the prescribed charity, the Access to Justice Foundation. The Foundation then uses the funds to increase free legal advice to those in need.
The Access to Justice Foundation offers guidance on how to apply for pro bono costs orders.
If you are working on a case pro bono, you can apply for pro bono costs orders using the following steps:
The [party] must pay costs for pro bono representation on or before [date] to the Access to Justice Foundation (The Access to Justice Foundation, 7 Bell Yard, WC2A 2JR), [summarily assessed at £_____ [or] [to be assessed on the standard/indemnity basis if not agreed].
5. Notify the Access to Justice Foundation if you secure pro bono costs by emailing costs@atjf.org.uk. Please provide a copy of the sealed costs order and contact details of the payor.
Emma Daykin of One Pump Court Chambers says ‘making a pro bono costs order was easy and straightforward’.
Funds gained through pro bono costs orders have already had an impact on the advice sector but more remains to be done.
As well as funding, pro bono costs help level the playing field, by ensuring that there are equal adverse costs risks for all parties, even when facing a pro bono assisted party. This can help encourage reasonable litigation, conduct and settlement.
If you are interested in helping to pave the way for a society where everyone has access to justice, get in touch at costs@atjf.org.uk or visit our website.
The Access to Justice Foundation increases funding for free legal advice, awards grants, raises funds and helps to make the case for investment in advice across the UK. Find out more at atjf.org.uk.
The need for free legal advice has been growing exponentially since the pandemic and the continuing cost-of-living crisis, with some advice organisations reporting a doubling in the demand for their services.
According to the Legal Needs Survey 2023, 66% of people have experienced at least one legal issue in the last four years. Almost half all those seeking advice report being disabled.
Facing a legal issue can be the most stressful and anxiety filled time of someone’s life. If you do not have the means to pay for, or have access to, good quality free legal advice and have a disability, this stress is magnified.
Ryan Turner of Maitland Chambers says: ‘It can be very difficult for a litigant in person to understand court processes and to prepare the necessary documents and bundles for a hearing.
‘Therefore, quality pro bono services are essential in helping people to navigate the legal system and deal with their legal issues.’
The Access to Justice Foundation was established by the Bar Council, Advice Services Alliance, CILEX and The Law Society to be the recipient of pro bono costs orders. We use the funding from the costs orders and other sources to award grants to advice organisations providing free legal advice to the most marginalised individuals, communities and places.
As a result of funds gained through pro bono costs orders alone, more than £1 million in grants has gone to provide pro bono services to those that need it most.
Our latest grants round – funded primarily from pro bono costs orders – was focused mainly on those offering pro bono provision for disabled people. We will announce the recipients of these awards in October 2024.
Thanks to additional fundraising in the last two years, over £13 million has been awarded to increase resource for those facing social welfare issues such as housing, debt and immigration.
Liz Chahal, CEO of the Leicester Community Advice and Law Centre says: ‘The Access to Justice Foundation has a unique recognition that organisations need a stable infrastructure to deliver support and build innovative partnerships to help those that need it most.’
However, as the only national charity solely focused on funding free legal advice across the UK, the demand consistently outstrips the funds available.
The Access to Justice Foundation welcomes the support of the legal community to continue to make the case and raise funds to move towards a society where everyone has access to justice.
Better, more consistent application of pro bono costs orders by those offering free legal representation can lead to more funding for free legal advice.
Pro bono costs orders are just like ordinary legal costs but are available where a party received free of charge legal representation provided by a solicitor, advocate or acted as a litigant in person in England and Wales.
If a civil case is won with pro bono help, pro bono costs can be ordered by the court or tribunal or included in settlements. Pro bono costs cover any period when free of charge representation was provided, and the amount is based on what a paying client would recover.
Unlike ordinary costs, pro bono costs are, by statute, payable to the prescribed charity, the Access to Justice Foundation. The Foundation then uses the funds to increase free legal advice to those in need.
The Access to Justice Foundation offers guidance on how to apply for pro bono costs orders.
If you are working on a case pro bono, you can apply for pro bono costs orders using the following steps:
The [party] must pay costs for pro bono representation on or before [date] to the Access to Justice Foundation (The Access to Justice Foundation, 7 Bell Yard, WC2A 2JR), [summarily assessed at £_____ [or] [to be assessed on the standard/indemnity basis if not agreed].
5. Notify the Access to Justice Foundation if you secure pro bono costs by emailing costs@atjf.org.uk. Please provide a copy of the sealed costs order and contact details of the payor.
Emma Daykin of One Pump Court Chambers says ‘making a pro bono costs order was easy and straightforward’.
Funds gained through pro bono costs orders have already had an impact on the advice sector but more remains to be done.
As well as funding, pro bono costs help level the playing field, by ensuring that there are equal adverse costs risks for all parties, even when facing a pro bono assisted party. This can help encourage reasonable litigation, conduct and settlement.
If you are interested in helping to pave the way for a society where everyone has access to justice, get in touch at costs@atjf.org.uk or visit our website.
Update from the Chair of the Bar
By David Green
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, examines the forensic science underpinning hair drug testing, its evidential scope and limitations, and why it remains the gold standard for evidencing patterns of drug use in family proceedings
Unlocking your aged debt to fund your tax in one easy step. By Philip N Bristow
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, discusses the upcoming changes to pensions and Inheritance Tax and the potential impact on your financial future
Save the Children UK is the latest charity to benefit from a £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
The Chief Legal Officer to the Metropolitan Police, barrister Brett Welch, tells Anthony Inglese CB about his mission and the work to turn the Met around
Barrister apprenticeships – shortly to provide the fourth pathway to the Bar – are an ideal opportunity to support local talent and ‘grow your own’, say Tim Coulson and Dr Jane Dennehy
Born from a grievance, their research project grew into a book and is now challenging the status quo. Emma Price and Emma-Louise Fenelon reveal the key findings – and the critical next steps
Grok around and find out – or not? Mariya Peykova investigates the nudification scandal, what the law has to say about sexually explicit deepfakes, and whether stronger regulation is needed
Oliver Lewis spotlights an overlooked yet rapidly evolving area of law – coercive and controlling behaviour within care contexts
