Legal advice deserts: Senedd research

A short note to highlight a really important paper about civil legal advice deserts in Wales by Claire Thomas in the Senedd research team.  It is a corruscating indictment of the general impact of the decline in the provision of civil legal aid after LASPO which has particular impacts on vulnerable people.  In housing, we might say (non-technically) that vulnerable people are those living in poor housing conditions, homeless households, those in temporary or supported accommodation or otherwise unable to afford where they are living – the range is extensive.  But, the point is that it is those households who are most in need of good quality advice and most unable to get it, despite the amazing work done by Shelter Cymru and our law centres.

We may be past the tipping point in terms of legal aid provision; but I remain hopeful that, with decent funding in place and proper recompense for those fantastic housing advisors, we can re-build legal aid services in housing.  Partly, my reason for that optimism is our students and their genuine care about issues affecting the poor.