Martin Partington: Spotlight on the Justice System

Since 2008, when section 194 of the Legal Services Act 2007 came into force, it has been possible for litigants who are assisted on a pro bono (for free) basis to ask for some costs from the losing side.
They do not get the money for themselves since, by definition, their case has been argued for nothing. But any pro bono costs that are awarded are paid to a nominated charity – the Access to Justice Foundation – which can then use the funds to promote other legal service activities.
The sums involved in no way compensate for the cuts the legal aid that will start to bite in April 2013. But it is a development which, while still in an embryonic stage, may help to create new ways of providing at least some access to justice.
More detail of the work of the Access to Justice Foundation is at http://www.accesstojusticefoundation.org.uk/