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27 March 2026 / Bhavini Bhatt
Issue: 8155 / Categories: Features , Profession , Legal services , Pro Bono , Charities
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Funding the front line of access to justice

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Millions face legal problems without access to advice: Bhavini Bhatt of the Access to Justice Foundation explains how new funding routes & collective action residues can help close the gap
  • Many across the UK are excluded from access to justice due to lack of free legal advice, with demand far exceeding available support from charities and advice organisations.
  • The Access to Justice Foundation is expanding funding through innovative sources—such as pro bono cost orders and unclaimed collective action damages—to strengthen frontline legal support and reach underserved communities.

We will all face challenging legal issues at times in our lives. It could be an unscrupulous landlord, a discriminatory employer, or any of a myriad of situations. But we don’t all face them with equal access to sound legal advice. Millions of people are excluded from access to justice as they don’t have anywhere to turn for free advice—or don’t know that they can ask for help.

The Access to Justice Foundation is the only

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Charles Russell Speechlys—James Paterson

Charles Russell Speechlys—James Paterson

Charles Russell Speechlys further bolsters Private Equity expertise with the appointment of James Paterson

Ellisons—Samuel Flower

Ellisons—Samuel Flower

Ellisons strengthens Rural Affairs team with senior appointment

Sidley—Carl Hotton

Sidley—Carl Hotton

Sidley adds insurance mergers and acquisitions partner to London office

NEWS
A deputy costs judge correctly exercised his discretion to allow late service rather than strike out the point of dispute, the Court of Appeal has held
Prince Harry, Baroness Doreen Lawrence and five others have lost their case against the publisher of the Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday and MailOnline, in Various Claimants v Associated Newspapers [2026] EWHC 1637 (KB)
Public confidence in the justice system is being undermined by a lack of accessible, useable data, magistrates have warned
The Sentencing Council has launched draft guidelines for facilitation and endangering another person during a sea crossing to the UK
Government proposals to make independent written legal advice a prerequisite for workplace non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) may prove unworkable, according to a senior employment lawyer
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