UK is Searching for Solutions to the Consequences of Deep Legal Aid Funding Cuts
The Guardian reported yesterday that the legal profession is bracing itself for an increase in pro se litigants as a result of the legal aid budget cuts, which are set for 2013.
. . . [W]ith £350m set to be lopped off the legal aid budget in 2013, removing funding for areas such as divorce and housing cases, turning up to court without a brief is about to become a lot more common.
A report on litigants-in-person to be published on Friday acknowledges this, setting out measures for minimising the chaos that will be caused by the coming surge of “DIY lawyers”.
Here are a few of the solutions lawyers are considering to address this surge:
- Prevention of legal battles through public legal education
- Increased reliance on and use of experienced volunteers, including law students, unemployed lawyers and retired lawyers
- Creating a more formalized pro bono structure in law firms (rely on peer pressure rather than a pro bono mandate)
Pretty general suggestions if you ask me… Read more here.
Thoughts?