Legal services reform 'means less than 30% eligible for aid'

The Legal Services Commission reforms to the justice system mean fewer people are eligible for free help from a qualified solicitor, with less than 30 per cent now entitled, compared with 51 per cent in 1998.

Personal injury compensation is one of those areas where individuals might receive support, but those who qualify are now restricted to some of the poorest in the country, the Guardian reports.

Income for an individual or couple should not amount to more than £31,884 if Britons are to successfully claim the service, a figure that works out at around £2,650 a month, although there are exceptions.

Changing legal services are due to cuts in the Ministry of Justice budget, meaning expenses have to be scaled back in many departments.

Next month will see the release of the government's spending review, which could herald more austerity measures for the department that oversees courts, jails and probation services.