12 Sept 2025
Government Justice Committee Inquiry will probe how easy it is for people to access justice
The Government’s Justice Committee has launched an inquiry into Access to Justice. Closing on 30th September, the inquiry is looking to understand how current pressures on the legal and representation sector are impacting how people access – or do not access – justice. As a network of over 100 organisations working across Liverpool to help people access advice and justice, we are responding to the Justice Committee’s inquiry. We’re asking you to help us develop and shape our response.
The Justice Committee is seeking to understand how the justice sector has been affected by years of funding cuts and changes. It is looking at how the free legal advice sector has stepped up to carry the burden of the demand on the sector, how legal aid provision could be improved, and how funding and technology could be used to improve access to justice.
Liverpool Access to Advice Network is acutely aware of the pressures and stresses our members are working against. Our most recent survey of our members found that half the organisations who responded were unable to meet the demand they face. One third of the organisations who responded have introduced waiting lists to cope with the demand, and twenty percent have had to restrict the number of people they help. We know that free legal advice improves outcomes for all, be it through helping people to find a way forward or through decreasing costs that the health-related risks of poverty place upon the public purse.
Edward Hodgson, Coordinator, says:
“Responding to this inquiry is an opportunity for us to send a clear message to Government that more investment is needed in our sector. Too many people are facing complex issues without specialised support. This means that everyday legal problems which could be managed with straightforward free advice and guidance often snowball into unmanageable crises.
Our sector has faced years of funding cuts and changes, and yet we are still working to provide support to the most vulnerable people in our society. We need to come together to share our experiences and to give suggestions for a fairer, more just system – we’re hopeful that we can build a system where everyone can access justice, whoever they are, wherever they are, and whenever they need it.”
You can respond to our survey:
We’ve created our own survey form for you to respond to. We’ll collate your views and submit them to the Justice Committee. We’ve added additional information below each question to help you answer the questions. You do not need to answer all of the questions – answer those which you feel you are able to do so. You can access our survey by clicking the link below:
This survey closes on Tuesday 23rd September at 23:59 – make sure to respond by then to have your views represented.