Family Law

David Emmerson Head of Family Finance and Family Dispute Resolution at TV Edwards LLP

His Honour John Platt (retired circuit judge)

This article examines the effects of on LASPO and mediation 12 months on from the introduction of the Act which slashed nearly £60m from the Legal Aid budget.

It brings together for the first time all the key statistical information arising from the cuts evidencing the increase in applications to court, the increase in litigants in person and the reduction in legal aid family cases.

The article also examines the substantial drop in legal aid mediation and the tiny grant of exceptional cases both of which were intended to be the solutions and the safety net for those no longer eligible for legal aid.

The analysis of the statistics points to an impending crisis in family law as the single family court is introduced and socially excluded people are left without advice and representation as their relationships fall apart.

The article also examines ways in which both judges and lawyers can mange the mounting challenges.    

The full version of this article appears in the April 2014 issue of Family Law.

Online subscribers can access the full article here.