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I am a senior, regulated, Paralegal based at Citizens Advice working in family law in domestic violence cases, and also part of the Bar in the Community Project.

I have been working in DV for over 20 years.

I regularly prepare all casework for DA Barristers on a pro bono basis for those unable to get legal aid or who cannot afford a solicitor. Equally I prepare cases under the unbundled rule for solicitors who benefit from the fees paid for representation at complex hearings and the properly prepared casework for initial hearings.

The result is affordable Access to Justice for poor clients and good preparation. It also obviates the inevitable Jeremy Kyle style court proceedings in family law cases.

I also take up the LIP emotional slack which, as here discussed, is a key issue.

This legal provision also mitigates against the increasing numbers of paid for MFS, many of whom have their own exploitative agenda.

Such a provision from Cit A supports the existing legal profession and is highly welcomed by the Judiciary.

If the M of J could see to fund such a low cost provision across suitably qualified and regulated Paralegals from Cit A moving forwards (and please note that ALL LiPs are signposted to Cit A currently, but not paid for from the M of J) for both DA Barristers and solicitors at a fraction of the cost caused by LASPO 2013 then we could have an entirely workable solution.