Use free legal services when going to court

A barrister has spoken out to say that despite government cuts it is still important that people hire paid or free legal help when taking a case to court.

Nick Armstrong, a specialist in mental health and immigration law, told the BBC that most people do not possess the ability or language skills to represent themselves in court, making cuts to free legal services a worrying prospect.

He pointed out that legal solicitors spend years learning about advocacy methods and standards of evidence and that this information cannot be learnt quickly for a court case.

"These cases get won or lost because someone has spent an enormous amount of time with a client who doesn't understand why it's important to dig out every receipt and every telephone call," he said.

In addition, the Guardian last year said that cuts to free legal advice would impact more on women than men, as well as ethnic minority groups and those with disabilities.

Published by Phil Hammond