Campaign for early advice

A study into legal aid has concluded that cutting state funding for early legal advice proved to be a false economy.

Consequently, restoring it through legal aid could actually save the taxpayer money.

The research, conducted for the Law Society by Ipsos MORI, was published this week. It reveals a statistical link between getting early legal advice and resolving problems sooner.

‘Without early advice, relatively minor legal problems can escalate, creating health, social and financial problems, placing additional pressure and cost on already stretched public services,’ said Law Society vice president Christina Blacklaws.

‘Anyone who can't afford to pay for early legal advice may struggle to identify solutions—meaning simple issues spiral and can end up in court bringing unnecessary costs to the taxpayer.’

Early legal advice for most areas was removed by LASPO (the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012). For example, it is no longer available for family breakdown and child custody, which has led to fewer mediation referrals, which in turn has increased pressure on the courts.

However, the study shows that, on average, one in four people who receive early professional legal advice had resolved their problem within 3-4 months after it had first occurred. After nine months, three-quarters had resolved their issue.

The Law Society this week launched an early advice campaign.

Blacklaws said: ‘We are calling for legal aid for early advice from a lawyer to be reinstated for housing and family cases. We are keen to work with the government to address this issue.

‘The current situation is unsustainable. If early advice was available to those who need it, issues could be resolved before they worsen and become more costly for the individual—and the public purse.’