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The future for Legal Aid in family matters

From April 2013 the changes made by the government to Legal Aid in Family matters will mean that vulnerable people facing  a family breakdown will no longer be able to rely on Legal Aid to assist them in obtaining help and advice from a family solicitor. Only clients with issues involving domestic violence, forced marriage or child abduction will potentially qualify for Legal Aid. If you have any questions or issues relating to Family matters, RLE Law run  a free drop in clinic, details of which are at the end of this article.

The impact of the government reforms on the community will be vast. The changes will mean that many people will not be able to access a solicitor to represent them and they will become “litigants in person” therefore having to prepare court forms and representing themselves at hearings. If people are representing themselves they will not receive the level of help, advice and guidance that a solicitor would offer and this may cause delay by way of errors and ultimately slow down the court process which is already lengthy in many cases. The result of the delays will cause further distress to many parents, grandparents and other family members seeking to resolve important issues within their own family such as residence and contact in relation to their children.

Unfortunately many couples entering into a divorce will no longer receive legal representation and they will either have to enter into mediation, represent themselves or find some other way to fund or resolve their differences. The changes may cause more difficulties for parties where one person is able to afford legal representation but the other is not, an example of this is likely to be a situation where the husband is working and the wife is not as she is a stay at home mother. The stay at home mother in this example may feel pressured to reach an agreement and may not fully understand the proceedings or any agreements. By not having a legal advisor a party may feel confused and anxious about making decisions on their own.

Legal Aid will shortly be removed for divorce, financial matters and disputes involving children. Therefore if you have concerns about any of these issues we strongly advise you to contact us. You may currently be eligible for legal advice and assistance prior to the changes happening and you can take advantage of Legal Aid while it still stands.

RLE Law offer free 20 minute sessions where clients can obtain advice on Family related issues. Sessions are not booked but arranged on a first-come-first-served drop in basis.

In the Bridgend office the Family Clinic operates every Wednesday from 2pm to 6pm. In the Treorchy office the Family Clinic operates every Thursday from 2pm to 6pm. Please call in if you have any Family issues you would like some free advice on.