Select committee: Justice Committee
Conclusion 15
3rd Report – Access to Justice: Legal Aid
Published 17 Jul 2026
Addressed to Ministry of Justice
Justice Committee Access to Justice All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗ Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Conclusion (the committee's words)
The proportion of adults in England and Wales eligible for civil legal aid is unacceptably low and misaligned with its policy goals. There is overwhelming evidence of a growing “justice gap” in England and Wales, whereby people are both ineligible for legal aid, and unable to afford legal advice and representation privately. Those in the ‘justice gap’ are denied access to justice. (Conclusion, Paragraph 62)
From: Justice Committee, 3rd Report – Access to Justice: Legal Aid (HC 541), 17 July 2026
Government response
No government response linked yet: deadline 15 October 2026, 17 days ago.