New report by LawWorks, the solicitors' national pro bono charity, finds a growing demand for free legal advice
LawWorks, the solicitors' national pro bono charity, said in a recent report that there is growing demand for free legal advice - including in asylum and immigration - in the wake of the severe cuts made by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012.
The report covers the period between April 2015 and March 2016 and you can read it here.
In the year to March 2016, the LawWorks Clinics Network responded to over 53,000 enquiries, a 24% increase on the previous year. 85% of clinic clients reported a household income below the Joseph Rowntree Foundation Minimum Income Standard threshold of £17,100.
LawWorks found that there was a significant 45% increase in enquiries relating to asylum and immigration law. This amounted to an extra 1,343 individuals receiving advice over the previous year.
The full breakdown by area of law showed immigration was the fourth most common enquiry, behind family law, employment and housing.
57% of clients accessing the LawWorks Clinics Network in the year to March 2016 were from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds.
Martin Barnes, LawWorks CEO said: "Our report highlights the important and growing contribution of legal volunteers in providing free legal advice and enabling access to justice. While pro bono is not an alternative to legal aid, a growing network of local clinics make a positive difference for thousands of people who would otherwise struggle to access advice and support.
"A legal problem does not have to be complex to be potentially life changing or to be daunting. Not every legal problem can be solved or solved satisfactorily, but the advice pro bono clinics provide can improve lives for the better. The clinics in the LawWorks Clinic Network should be rightfully proud of the work they do and the positive contribution they make. We would like to recognise and celebrate the thousands of pro bono volunteers, and the advice workers, staff and volunteers that make each clinic possible."