Government announces increase to civil legal aid fees

With civil legal aid fees last uprated in 1996, it is the first increase of any kind for nearly 30 years. The government is due to consult on the uplift in January 2025, and will consider the fees paid in other categories of civil legal aid in the Spring. 

In the three decades since the last fee increase, the civil legal aid sector has shrunk considerably, exacerbated by legal aid cuts under the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act (2012). 

Research from The Law Society shows that 63% of the population has no access to an immigration and asylum legal aid provider, and 44% has no access to a housing legal aid provider. Behind these statistics are people stuck facing destitution, homelessness and poor living conditions.

Julie Bishop, director of the Law Centres Network, said: 

“This announcement is a start, but not the solution to rebuilding our civil legal aid system. Decades of chronic underfunding has stifled one of the UK’s key public services—we see the results in growing homelessness and poverty. Much more action is needed to secure a sustainable future for civil legal aid, and the Law Centres Network will continue to assist the government in this mission.” 

For media enquires, please contact media@lawcentres.org.uk.