A charity that provides free advice to families of children with special educational needs and disabilities and a law centre in South Wales are among the 16 recipients who will receive £3.7m of unclaimed cash from the Boundary Fares class action settlement.
The grants programme marks the first time that unclaimed funds from a class action have been redistributed.
Clare Carter, chief executive of the Access to Justice Foundation, which is administering the grants, said: ‘Unclaimed funds from collective actions represent a significant opportunity to strengthen access to justice. This ultimately protects consumers and boosts the economy. These organisations are the first point of call for people to understand and enforce their rights. This grant round will ensure that the outcomes of collective actions are felt by consumers across the UK. We look forward to seeing how this funding makes an impact on communities most in need.’
Pro bono costs orders and other funding sources took the total grants pot to £3.9m. The foundation received bids totalling £68m. Grants were awarded to organisations delivering services in regions where members of the class action are based, the areas that face the most persistent gaps in access to free legal advice, and where few or no grants have been distributed.
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For south east England, the recipients are Independent Provider of Special Education Advice, Southern England Law Centre, St Lukes Advice and Hastings Advice and Representation Centre.
For Scotland, the recipients are Motherwell & Wishaw Citizens Advice, Renfrewshire Citizens Advice and Legal Services Agency.
For Wales, the recipients are Citizens Advice Caerphilly Blaenau Gwent, Cyngor ar Bopeth Powys Citizens Advice, Speakeasy Law Centre and Shelter Cymru.
For London, the recipients are Croydon Citizens Advice, Cambridge House, Bail for Immigration Detainees and Family Rights Group.
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