civil claims for damages for personal injury are excluded and must be paid for privately
creates difficulties for those left with serious disabilities who may need all the help they can get to make sure they receive compensation
individuals bringing employment claims against large companies are disadvantaged, unable to receive public funding
each year government has a set budget, limited money
low eligibility levels
only those with very low income and capital will qualify
march 2016, 20 senior lawyers wrote a letter to the guardian stating that the reforms in LASPO 2012 had a severe impact on the vulnerability of people to access justice
criteria set out by Lord Chancellor
levels of help and representation
means test
merits test for representation
problems
levels of help and representation
advice only
legal representation - covers all aspects of the case
means test
generally strict test on gross income, disposable and capital
only scheme that is not means tested is advice for those being held as a suspect at a police station
merits tests for representation
civil cases
whether the case has reasonable chance of success and that damages will be worth more than the costs
