Family Law and Access to Legal Aid

The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO) significantly limited the availability of legal aid in civil and family law. Whilst public law family cases remained in the scope of legal aid under LASPO, most private family law matters became ineligible for legal aid, with the exception of funding for some victims of domestic abuse. This briefing paper examines how the cuts to legal aid have created additional barriers to justice for many people who need to access advice and representation for family law matters. The paper draws on first‐hand,empirical evidence collected through research conducted with family law practitioners and not‐for‐profit organisations providing support for family cases.

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