Securing Legal Aid: A Step Towards Greater Support for Asylum Seekers
We are thrilled to announce that we have recently secured a vital Legal Aid contract, effective from September 2024! This significant achievement has enabled us to expand our Legal Branch and increase our provision of essential asylum advice and representation.
Securing legal aid is not only a milestone for The Cotton Tree Trust but a critical step towards addressing the acute need for access to legal representation for those navigating the UK’s complex asylum system. Legal aid is crucial for people to understand their rights, navigate complex procedures, and present their cases effectively. More than half of asylum seekers in the UK cannot obtain legal representation, and many are unable to access legal aid. As highlighted by the Law Society, drawing on data from the Legal Aid Agency, a staggering 63% of the population across England and Wales do not have access to immigration and asylum legal aid (2024). The scarcity of legal aid is not just a statistic; it represents the profound impact on people every day. Inadequate access to legal aid has a significant impact on communities, exacerbating vulnerabilities and undermining access to justice.
In line with this, we are expanding our services with this new legal aid contract, which allows us to significantly increase our capacity to provide much-needed free legal advice to destitute asylum seekers. This expansion complements the ongoing work of our Heal & Grow branch, which is dedicated to providing emotional and practical support, as well as facilitating community-building and wellbeing activities. Together, these efforts aim to support our clients holistically, ensuring they not only have access to legal representation but also the resources to rebuild their lives.
We invite you to join us in supporting and advocating for greater access to legal aid. Whether you can share this post, volunteer your time, or donate to our cause, your contribution can help to ensure that everyone has access to the justice they deserve. Let’s work together to build a more equitable and welcoming society!
