Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 25
25
Paragraph: 103
The weight of evidence, however, is that inaction on the rising number of litigants in...
Recommendation
The weight of evidence, however, is that inaction on the rising number of litigants in person is not an option. Many of the policy responses to the issue involve increasing the resources of the courts or other agencies involved in the system. With the impact of the pandemic likely to lead to greater number of litigants in person in the family courts and in tribunals, we urge the Government to consider providing more accessible and effective forms of support.
Paragraph Reference:
103
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
In February 2019, as part of our Legal Support Action Plan, we announced we would increase our total funding for services supporting litigants in person to £3 million a year from 2020 to 2022. This new funding is being delivered through the creation of the Legal Support for Litigants in Person (LSLIP) Grant of £1.55 million per year. The grant is now fully underway, funding 11 projects across more than 50 organisations at local, regional and national levels to help people to identify issues as early as possible, prevent them from escalating, and to support people where they do need to attend court to understand legal processes and their rights within. Since 2014–15, we have also provided over £9 million in funding through the Litigants in Person Support Strategy (LIPSS), which works with four national partners to provide support to those representing themselves in court. Additionally, £2 million has been invested by the MoJ in the Community Justice Fund (CJF), which supports not-for-profit organisations in England and Wales providing legal advice to those facing legal issues such as loss of jobs, being caught in rent arrears, or built-up debt as a result of Covid-19. This investment follows the £5.4 million government grant for not-for-profit advice providers the MoJ delivered last year.