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18 February 2026
Issue: 8150 / Categories: Legal News , Charities , Legal services , Legal aid focus
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Apply now for free advice grants

A groundbreaking £3.9m grants programme using unclaimed money from a UK class action opened for applications this week

The Access to Justice Foundation’s ‘Improving lives through advice 2026’ programme mainly uses unclaimed damages from Justin Gutmann’s opt-out collective action on boundary fares against Stagecoach South West Trains, which settled last year for £25m, of which Stagecoach had to pay £10m after only £216,000 was claimed. £3.8m was earmarked for charity, with the foundation the nominated recipient.

Free legal advice organisations in London and the Southeast, Scotland and Wales have until 16 March to apply. The grants start in June. See here for more information and to apply.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

mfg Solicitors—Hayley Pearce & Lauren Williams

mfg Solicitors—Hayley Pearce & Lauren Williams

Law firm mfg Solicitors announces promotions at Ludlow office

Womble Bond Dickinson—Richard Sharpe

Womble Bond Dickinson—Richard Sharpe

Womble Bond Dickinson appoints partner in Leeds residential team

Brabners—six promotions

Brabners—six promotions

Brabners adds six to partnership in record year for partner promotions

NEWS
The legal profession's AI challenge extends far beyond fabricated case citations, according to a warning about the next phase of technological risk
Law firms should use the transition period before the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) assumes anti-money laundering (AML) supervision to strengthen governance and compliance, experts have warned
Cross-border disputes increasingly demand creative approaches to gathering evidence, with litigators needing to look beyond traditional letters of request
A Court of Appeal ruling has clarified the distinction between contracts of 'indefinite' and 'perpetual' duration, with potentially significant implications for commercial drafting
The Court of Appeal was entitled to uphold the government's decision to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, according to an analysis of the ruling
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