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Access to Justice - Coggle Diagram
Access to Justice
When faced with a legal problem, most people need expert help from a lawyer. For the ordinary person seeking legal assistance there are three main difficulties:
- Lack of knowledge - many people do not know where their nearest solicitor is located
- Fear of dealing with lawyers - people feel intimidated when dealing with lawyers.
- Cost - solicitors charge from about £150 an hour for routine advice from a small local firm, or over £600 an hour from top firms
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Government Schemes
The first scheme for civil cases was started in 1949 and has been altered many times over the years. The first full scheme for criminal cases was started in 1964 and was also altered many times over the years.
In 2000, the Legal Services Commission was set up by the government to run legal aid for both civil and criminal cases. However in March 2010, the House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts criticised the Legal Services Commission for its financial management. In 2012, the government abolished the LSC and bring legal aid under the control of the ministry of justice.
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Other Advice Agencies
Citizens Advice Bureaux - First set up in 1939, in 2014-15 they provided advice to 2.5million people. The main areas they focus on are: entitlement to benefits, debt problems, consumer issues, housing issues, employment issues.
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Private Funding of cases
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Another way of funding a court case is by legal insurance, most motor insurance policies offer cover for help with legal fees arising from road accidents
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