A charity which provides support to people facing civil and family courts without legal representation has been forced to close some of its services following a Ministry of Justice funding cut.
Support Through Court is now urging the government to reconsider the £300,000 which has caused the closure of its services in Chelmsford and Southend.
The charity has already begun the managed closure of both Essex-based services as a ‘direct consequence’ of the funding shortfall. Any further reductions in support may become unavoidable unless alternative funding can be secured, Support Through Court said.
Loss of support ‘will affect not only court users but also place additional pressure on courts, judges and HMCTS staff at a time when increasing numbers of people are unable to access legal representation’.
Emma Taylor, chief executive of Support Through Court, said: ‘Every day we support people facing some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Many are dealing with family breakdown, domestic abuse, housing problems, debt, disability or poor mental health while trying to navigate a complex court system without legal representation. People do not stop coming to court when support disappears. They simply face court alone.
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‘For more than two decades, the Ministry of Justice has recognised the importance of providing practical support to litigants in person. Together, we have helped hundreds of thousands of people participate more effectively in court proceedings.
‘The loss of £300,000 annual funding has forced us to close services in Chelmsford and Southend. Without replacement funding, more people will struggle to access the support they need when facing court. This is not simply a challenge for our charity. It is a challenge for the wider justice system. When people arrive at court confused, unprepared and unsupported, the impact is felt by everyone.’
Support Through Court has written to senior members of the legal profession, volunteers and supporters to highlight the impact of the funding reduction. It is asking supporters to contact their MPs and ministers to explain the importance of maintaining support for people who would otherwise face court proceedings alone.
Lord Neuberger, former Supreme Court president and a patron of Support Through Court, said: ‘For a relatively modest investment, the charity supports tens of thousands of people each year and thereby also helps to improve the effective functioning of the courts. I hope the Ministry of Justice will reconsider this decision and ensure that this valuable service can continue to be available to those who need it.'
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