The Litigant in Person Support Strategy
The Support Strategy
What is the problem?
Access to free legal advice and representation is getting more and more difficult, having a disproportionately high impact on vulnerable people who may lose their home, income or contact with their family as a result of not being able to access the right support.
There are many different organisations committed to improving access to justice all doing important work and it is essential that this work is coordinated to avoid duplication and maximise limited resources.
What are we doing about it?
We are helping people through the court or tribunal process in the following ways:
- Providing online and self-help resources and ensuring that the right people know where they are and how to access them.
- Providing practical and emotional support
- Providing access to free or affordable legal advice wherever possible
We also ensure that these three services are linked together to ensure vulnerable people receive the best available package of support.
What are we doing next?
- Expanding our service delivery of self-help, support and legal advice
- Developing a collaborative online platform for interested professionals to share best practice and access to relevant resources
- Working with key regional partners to roll out the strategy across the country
Who are we?
The strategy is a collaborative project involving Law for Life, LawWorks, Personal Support Unit, RCJ Advice, Bar Pro Bono Unit and the Access to Justice Foundation. The strategy is supported by two Programme Directors and overseen by an independent advisory council drawn from across the legal and advice sector. We are always keen to develop closer links with relevant organisations. Please contact us for further information – [email protected] or [email protected]
The Support Strategy involves the pro bono and advice sector as well as others including the Ministry of Justice, HMCTS and the Judiciary.
www.advicenow.org.uk
There is now a central digital portal, Advicenow, which provides guidance and help to Litigants in Person (LiPS) nationwide. The website acts as a one-stop-shop pulling together the best information from across the web, self-help guides and tools, and guidance on how to access the advice and support that is available.
If you represent an advice agency, community centre, local authority, or another type or organisation where members of the public may be interested in using this website then we have postcards and posters advertisings the Support Strategy’s one–stop shop website that we can send to you free of charge. Please contact us.
