Legal aid

Years of underinvestment have brought the justice system to its knees. Victims, defendants and witnesses are suffering the consequences while hardworking solicitors are forced out of the sector. We're fighting for properly funded legal aid and investment in a justice system that is available for all.

Richard Atkinson stands in front of the Royal Courts of Justice, London. Richard is a white man with short dark grey hair. He has a grave expression and wears a navy suit, white shirt and navy polka dot tie.

New government fails to show it’s serious about criminal justice

We’ve been left dismayed by the new government’s failure to show that it is serious about tackling the crisis in our criminal justice system.

Options firms should consider now
Richard Atkinson stands in front of the Royal Courts of Justice, London. Richard is a white man with short dark grey hair. He has a grave expression and wears a navy suit, white shirt and navy polka dot tie.
The image shows the top of the main entrance to the Royal Court of Justice in London.
The image shows the top of the main entrance to the Royal Court of Justice in London.

Our High Court battle on criminal legal aid

We're calling for government to rethink criminal legal aid funding before the system collapses, after our judicial review victory.

Learn about our fight for fair funding

What we're asking for

As the professional body for solicitors, we amplify the powerful collective voice of more than 200,000 solicitors by advocating at the highest levels of the issues you've told us matter most.

A woman wearing a yellow jumper uses a piggy bank

Legal aid means test review

Young woman sitting in kitchen, staring at calculator next to open laptop

Civil legal aid review

Lawyer in court holding papers while cross-examining witness. She is wearing a pink top and dark suit, visible from the shoulders down

Criminal legal aid review

News and articles

View All

Criminal legal aid: rushed tender process risks deepening crisis

Key decisions on the future of criminal legal aid must be taken before expecting firms to bid for new 10-year contracts with the Legal Aid Agency (LAA).

10 Oct 2024

New government fails to show it’s serious about criminal justice

We’ve been left dismayed by the new government’s failure to show that it is serious about tackling the crisis in our criminal justice system.

10 Oct 2024

Drop in civil legal aid providers after new contracts have been awarded

The Legal Aid Agency has announced that 1,236 firms have been awarded civil legal aid contracts, a significant drop, reinforcing long-standing concerns about the exodus from civil legal aid work.

10 Oct 2024

New government fails to show it is serious about criminal justice

Solicitors have been left dismayed by the new government’s failure to show it is serious about tackling the crisis in our criminal justice system.

07 Oct 2024

View All

All resources

Expand all

Map showing areas of England and Wales with 6 of fewer housing legal aid providers (March 2023) - most of the map is red or orange to show a shortage or desert

Legal aid deserts

Our updated heatmaps show how funding cuts have left large areas of England and Wales without access to advice.

Explore the maps
Map showing areas of England and Wales with 6 of fewer housing legal aid providers (March 2023) - most of the map is red or orange to show a shortage or desert

The Law Society is the independent professional body for solicitors. Our vision is to promote, protect and support solicitors, the rule of law and justice in England and Wales.

Maximise your membership

My LS gives you access to the latest news, events, books and resources to help you excel within your practice.

Access our resources here