Access to justice
The Access to Justice Foundation has been launched as part of the strategic development of measures to improve access to justice. It will support pro bono services already available by providing additional funds for those seeking legal services who cannot afford to pay for the costs or cannot get legal aid.
The funds will be raised through “pro bono costs orders”, which require parties who lose a case against a party with pro bono help, to make a payment to the foundation, equal to an order for costs. The scheme is described as a “cross-profession initiative”, tying in both the legal and voluntary sectors.
The attorney general, Baroness Scotland QC, says: “This is a historic launch. As guardian of the public interest it is of great importance to me that the Access to Justice Foundation has been created. The key to its work will be to distribute funds strategically to where they are needed. A fundamental part of this is the creation of the Regional Legal Support Trusts, with which the foundation will work closely.”
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