The Access to Justice Foundation

Student essay competition

Foundation student competition now open: '"There's no such thing as a free lunch": How should pro bono be funded?' see details here.

Unlock Funds for Justice

Pro bono costs are like ordinary legal costs, but where a party had free legal representation. The costs are paid to The Access to Justice Foundation.
For guidance click here.

Its Not Just Peanuts

Unclaimed balances in solicitors' client accounts can be donated to charity. The Its Not Just Peanuts campaign aims to encourage law firms to donate these to the Foundation.
For information click here.

The Access to Justice Foundation was established by the legal profession to receive and distribute additional financial resources to help get free of charge legal assistance to those who need it most (see our aims).

The Foundation receives monies raised by schemes: pro bono costs under s.194 Legal Services Act 2007; and unclaimed client account balances. Taking a strategic view, it will distribute those monies to Regional Legal Support Trusts, to the national pro bono organisations, and to projects. The Regional Trusts will in turn distribute to local advice agencies and law centres. The initiative therefore supports the overall effort to provide practical “access to justice” to those unable to afford help.