Supporting Access to Justice in the South West of England
The role of the Legal Support Trust is to help those who make access to justice a reality for those who need it most.
The poorest and most vulnerable members of society have seen their ability to seek real, practical legal help drastically eroded while those trying to deliver that advice have seen a sharp increase in demand for their services along with a catastrophic loss of funding.
By raising funds we aim to help those providing free legal advice continue to deliver their services. Through our activities we also aim to bring together the free legal advice sector, the legal profession, the judiciary and the law schools to build relationships, share best practice and develop new initiatives to support access to justice.
The poorest and most vulnerable members of society have seen their ability to seek real, practical legal help drastically eroded while those trying to deliver that advice have seen a sharp increase in demand for their services along with a catastrophic loss of funding.
By raising funds we aim to help those providing free legal advice continue to deliver their services. Through our activities we also aim to bring together the free legal advice sector, the legal profession, the judiciary and the law schools to build relationships, share best practice and develop new initiatives to support access to justice.
Nick Hanning, former Chairperson
The Trust was formed following the enactment of s.194 of the Legal Services Act 2007 in order to distribute funds received from the Access to Justice Foundation or from our own fundraising efforts to organisations providing pro bono legal help and advice in the South West region.
Section 194 of the Legal Services Act 2007 allows successful pro bono represented litigants to obtain an order for costs. Those costs are directed by the Act to be paid to the Access to Justice Foundation, a charity constituted under the auspices of the Act to receive and distribute additional financial resources that will help to get free of charge (pro bono) legal assistance to those who need it most.
Distribution will primarily be to national organisations and to a matrix of 7 Regional Legal Support Trusts which will ensure regional demand is identified and met, while also engaging in their own fundraising activities.
The South West Legal Support Trust covers Dorset and Hampshire as well as Bristol and of course the ‘real’ South West down to Cornwall. The Trust, supported by regional sub-committees, identifies local needs and co-ordinates local fundraising activities.
The South West Legal Support Trust is a local of The Access to Justice Foundation. Company limited by guarantee (No. 6714178) and is a charity registered in England and Wales (No. 1126147) and in Scotland (No. SC048584). Its registered office is 10 Queen Street Place, London EC4R 1AG
Section 194 of the Legal Services Act 2007 allows successful pro bono represented litigants to obtain an order for costs. Those costs are directed by the Act to be paid to the Access to Justice Foundation, a charity constituted under the auspices of the Act to receive and distribute additional financial resources that will help to get free of charge (pro bono) legal assistance to those who need it most.
Distribution will primarily be to national organisations and to a matrix of 7 Regional Legal Support Trusts which will ensure regional demand is identified and met, while also engaging in their own fundraising activities.
The South West Legal Support Trust covers Dorset and Hampshire as well as Bristol and of course the ‘real’ South West down to Cornwall. The Trust, supported by regional sub-committees, identifies local needs and co-ordinates local fundraising activities.
The South West Legal Support Trust is a local of The Access to Justice Foundation. Company limited by guarantee (No. 6714178) and is a charity registered in England and Wales (No. 1126147) and in Scotland (No. SC048584). Its registered office is 10 Queen Street Place, London EC4R 1AG
