Court support service that helps thousands of people who cannot afford a lawyer, is under threat after his government funding has been cut, The Guardian has learned.
It comes like a number of people struggling get justice without a lawyer rose sharply after sharp cuts in legal aid in 2013.
The charitable organization “Support Through the Court” is funded by the Ministry of of Justice for in last eight years but they said it would stop at the end of month. Formerly known as the Personal Support Division, it maintains offices. in 20 civil and family courts in England and Wales, using volunteers give practical and emotional help those who walk on justice system one.
this is one of several charitable organizations with not represented people in court whose funding in doubt after government finished his litigation in human strategy before that year. They were told that there would be grants they could apply for. for in future but no idea of how how many there will be, or what is the time frame.
left with deficit of £400,000 in it’s budgetSupport through the court is going to file an urgent appeal for funds, without which it is threatened by the prospect of layoffs and closure of a little of his offices.
Eileen Pereira, Executive Director of charitable organization, said: “Every day, hundreds of people who Can not access legal aid walk to the courthouse in need of support and leadership, and that’s just set to rise how cost of life increases. Without the funding we got for eight years, we facing in real possibility of closing doors on in support we provide this people.
“In the end up closure of any of our services will have a devastating impact, not just on we are clients support but on the whole yard system”.
Legal aid selected in most civil cases and almost all private family law in 2013. Since then share of private family court hearings where both parties have a lawyer has been reduced by almost half compared to one in five.
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Majority common scenario in private family hearing is just one party have a lawyer, an accountant for 42% of all cases last year. Lawyers say this creates an uneven playing field in disputes over questions like access to children and separating of finance.
Alex Cunningham, shadow minister for courts, said: “Our courts are sagging under huge debts, and this is quite typical for of the shortsightedness and incompetence of the Tories in our justice system.
“Attending court hearings can be extremely stressful experience and courts run more effective when the parties are informed and supported during the process. Labor would begin deal with the backlog and put things in order in in criminal justice system”.
While 81% of all those who bring civil lawsuits – such as companies chasing debt – have lawyers, only 44% of represented by those who protect them.
Law Society of The President of England and Wales, Stephanie Boyce, said: “Reducing legal aid left more as well as more people must represent themselves in court as parties in human. What are they most need provides legal advice and representation, while Litigation Support provides practical and emotional support it may help them through intense court hearings. It will be another blow to people trying to navigate justice system if government funding removed for this is an important service.”
Funding Gap faced from a specialist in legal and advisory services support services amount to £17.5m. for 2022-2023, according to data compiled by the Public Justice Foundation.
Ministry of The justice spokesman said: “We want access to early legal support to be available topics who need this is the most and charity will be soon be able to place bets for new grant funding even more people can use their services.
