Legal rights group publishes damning access to justice report

Free Legal Advice Centres (FLAC) has this morning published a report charting the impact of austerity on access to justice in Ireland.

Accessing Justice in Hard Times is based on data gathered by the legal rights group’s own legal information and advice services, as well as information from the State’s Legal Aid Board.

It shows that people in Ireland did not have adequate, timely and effective access to law and the legal system during the recent recession.

It also recommends a suite of measures such as expanding the areas of law covered by the civil legal aid system, dropping fees for victims of domestic violence, and reviewing the legal aid scheme to identify whether it is fit for purpose.

The report was launched at a seminar attended by more than 25 organisations.

Speaking ahead of the event, FLAC director general Noeline Blackwell said: “This lack of an effective legal aid system during the economic downturn caused hardship and misery for a lot of people in this country.”

She said the present system “is unable to deliver the basic right of access to justice to the level expected in a state governed by the rule of law”.

Ms Blackwell added: “Many people who could qualify for legal help are not aware of the service, but those who try to access the state system face serious waiting lists or will find their legal query is not covered by the scheme – even for basic issues such as employment or housing matters.

“The recent recession saw many people needing legal help across a range of complex issues, with complex interlinkages that needed expert assistance. Our report shows an over-stretched and under-funded Legal Aid Board was not capable of providing the necessary support in a time of crisis. That must be repaired now.”