Cuts to free legal services 'will hit Hartlepool's needy'

It has been claimed by lawyers that the government's cuts to free legal services will hit the needy in Hartlepool.

A study from the Legal Action Group revealed that the town is the country's tenth poorest area and that cuts will see the loss of 835 cases, which equates to £156,680 in unpaid legal aid, the Hartlepool Mail reported.

Speaking of the findings, Jill Welch, a family law solicitor, questioned how a person with a low income would be able to take their case to court if they could not receive free legal advice.

"This is going to really affect people and their access to justice at a time when they are most vulnerable and most need help and it just won’t be there," she said.

Ms Welch added that cuts to legal aid will also result in those who are in unhappy, debt-ridden, dangerous situations finding themselves stuck in these circumstances.

Similarly, Simon Leyland, who works at a solicitors in Liverpool, also recently said that access to justice could be hindered by the government's proposed changes to legal aid, the Liverpool Daily Post reported.


Published by Hannah Carr