MoJ commissions research into legal aid advocacy system as part of review of civil legal aid

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has commissioned research into the legal aid advocacy system as part of its review of civil legal aid.

The research, to be carried out by independent agency IFF Research, aims to help MoJ to “better understand what is working well, and less well, in the legal aid system, and to support the system going forward”.

IFF Research are inviting barrister advocates, non-barrister advocates and instructing solicitors to a one-to-one research discussion between November and December 2023.

Researchers revealed they would be asking participants about their experiences of getting involved in and carrying out legal aid work, including advocacy; their views on how the sector has changed in the last decade and how they anticipate it changing going forward.

The views will be analysed by theme, and following this, a report will be written based on those themes, said the MoJ.

The Review of Civil Legal Aid will reportedly publish reports for all workstreams, releasing evidence papers on GOV.UK ahead of the project’s conclusion on 31 March 2024.

“Once complete, the government can consider options from the Review for shaping a more effective, efficient, and sustainable system for legal aid providers and the people who rely on legal aid”, said the MoJ.

Further information on the IFF Research study can be found here.

Lottie Winson