Legal aid

Years of underinvestment have brought the justice system to its knees. Victims, defendants and witnesses are suffering the consequences while hardworking solicitors are forced out of the sector. Our fight for properly funded legal aid and access to justice is part of our advocacy work on the issues you’ve told us matter most.

An update from our president, Nick Emmerson, following our meeting with lord chancellor Alex Chalk on Monday 29 April:

“We had a constructive meeting with the Lord Chancellor following our judicial review victory in January.

“The Lord Chancellor has agreed to closely engage with us further, following the government’s original decision not to increase criminal defence solicitors’ legal aid rates by the independent review recommended 15%, as we seek to secure a sustainable funding model for the sector. We made clear the urgency of making a decision as quickly as possible."
The image shows the top of the main entrance to the Royal Court of Justice in London.
The image shows the top of the main entrance to the Royal Court of Justice in London.

Law Society wins High Court battle on criminal legal aid

We're calling for government to rethink criminal legal aid funding before the system collapses, after our judicial review victory.

Learn about our fight for fair funding

News and articles

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Find out what your clients need, with the results of our Legal Needs Survey

The 2023 survey spoke to over 12,000 people across England and Wales to understand more about what people need from legal professionals and the justice system.

18 Apr 2024

Our response to the Ministry of Justice’s Crime Lower Consultation

We’ve responded to the Ministry of Justice’s (MoJ) Crime Lower Consultation. This consultation follows on from the government’s response to the Criminal Legal Aid Independent Review (CLAIR) consultation in November 2022.

05 Apr 2024

‘No-fault’ divorce: What’s changed two years on?

A landmark change to family law was brought in two years ago when ’no-fault’ divorce was implemented to support separating couples to divorce more amicably. Now the dust has settled, how is it working in practice and what additional obstacles are facing the justice system?

05 Apr 2024

Westminster update: deserts, closed courts and SLAPPs

Your weekly update from our public affairs team on all the latest developments and debates in Parliament and across Whitehall.

02 Apr 2024

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All resources

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Map showing areas of England and Wales with 6 of fewer housing legal aid providers (March 2023) - most of the map is red or orange to show a shortage or desert

Legal aid deserts

Our updated heatmaps show how funding cuts have left large areas of England and Wales without access to advice.

Explore the maps
Map showing areas of England and Wales with 6 of fewer housing legal aid providers (March 2023) - most of the map is red or orange to show a shortage or desert

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