Why Finding New Ways to Fund Legal Advice is Important

The legal advice sector supports the most vulnerable in society.  Funded through private, public and charitable funding, its funding is widely agreed to be in a state of crisis. This crisis is impacting access to justice. This research will explore potential creative and supplementary funding models to create a more sustainable future for legal advice and support. Which funding model can end the crisis in funding for legal advice?

  • Residual funds from collective action cases;
  • Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts (IOLTA);
  • Legal expenses insurance;
  • Levies on large commercial law firms;
  • The apprenticeship levy; and
  • Re-direction of dormant client monies.

About the Project

This two year research project, launched in Spring 2025, is funded by the Nuffield Foundation. It takes the form of a research collaboration between the University of Oxford's Centre for Socio-Legal Studies, the Access to Justice Foundation, and the University of Surrey. The project is exploring a range of funding models operating successfully in other countries, which could be transplanted to the UK to support the work of organisations providing free legal advice.

The research that we are undertaking is informed by stakeholder engagement workshops involving jurisdictional experts, lawyers, advice providers, financiers, regulators, insurers, economists and academics. The project will result in an open-access database, policy briefings, an accessible project report with practical recommendations, and widespread dissemination of findings.

Our thanks go to Thomson Reuters and Dechert LLP pro bono teams for supporting us during the pilot stage of this research. 

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