Supporting Social Justice Solicitors Programme Launched in partnership with the City of London Law Society, BARBRI, Young Legal Aid Lawyers.
The Access to Justice Foundation is delighted to announce the launch of the Supporting Social Justice Solicitors (SSJS) Programme. We are proud to be working in partnership with the Social Welfare Solicitors Qualification Fund (SWSQF), an initiative by the City of London Law Society, BARBRI and Young Legal Aid Lawyers, to deliver this Programme. Clare Carter, Chief Executive at the Access to Justice Foundation states “The impact of the cost-of-living crisis continues to be felt at the frontline of legal services, with advice agencies overwhelmed by demand and facing their own issues around increasing costs in a shrinking funding climate. We’re excited to be working with SWSQF on this important initiative to raise funds to support more junior lawyers at the start of their careers. They will help so many people preserve their homes, employment and basic income”.
The SSJS Programme is an initiative dedicated to bolstering social justice by empowering newly qualified solicitors to begin their careers in free legal advice services. This Programme is designed to secure a talent pipeline of solicitors proven to contribute significantly to social welfare work. The SSJS Programme will fund the salaries of SWSQF recipients through their 2-years’ qualifying work experience, enabling newly qualified solicitors to work on the frontline of free legal advice services. The Access to Justice Foundation is aiming to support around 20 aspiring social welfare solicitors qualify at organisations specialised in helping the most marginalised in society. Each qualifying lawyer will deliver approximately 1500 hours of social welfare law hours annually.
As Patrick McCann, Co-Founder of the Social Welfare Solicitors Qualification Fund frames it, “If we are to provide access to justice to the most vulnerable members of society in England and Wales, we must retain legal representatives. We are delighted to support the Access to Justice Foundation with their Supporting Social Justice Solicitors (SSJS) Programme. This impactful Programme will help retain our talented SWSQF cohort members within the social welfare sector by raising funds to supplement the low salaries our members typically receive. We hope in time to be able to provide some financial assistance to appropriate SWSQF cohort members and look forward to continuing to work on this initiative”.
Decades of chronic underfunding for the advice sector has made it paramount that we continue to fund the future of free legal advice. The SSJS Programme is designed to support the salaries of newly qualified solicitors working in free legal advice services. By collaborating with the SWSQF, we ensure a steady pipeline of skilled solicitors committed to social welfare work. Advice organisations across the country struggle to deliver access to justice for the most marginalised groups in our society, and one of the biggest hurdles that these organisations face is that they simply cannot afford to train and hire social welfare solicitors, many of whom come from severe economic disadvantage themselves. Funding through the SSJS Programme not only aids workforce development but also alleviates the financial burden on frontline organisations, allowing them to focus on delivering vital services.
Furthermore, the SSJS Programme increases access to justice for the people, places, and communities most in need by supporting advice organisations to house long term specialist legal professionals. In some cases, advice organisations have reported a doubling in the demand for legal advice, widening the gap between access to, and the delivery of, advice. This is only exacerbated by the cost-of-living crisis. Without additional support, over 40,000 people will potentially go without the advice and assistance they need.
As well as increasing access to justice by funding the salaries of SWSQF recipients, the SSJS Programme is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive legal profession by providing opportunities for individuals who face barriers to entering the legal world. The SSJS Programme supports social mobility, offering a route to qualification in social welfare law for those who may not have access otherwise. Members of the SWSQF cohort often have lived experience of marginalisation and a direct connection with their communities, enabling them to identify and address specific barriers to justice.
Moreover, practising social welfare law is not only about making a difference, but also creating a viable career option for junior lawyers passionate about helping those in need. The SSJS Programme addresses the challenges of recruitment and retention faced by frontline advice charities, offering consistent and sustainable funding. By developing a qualification route through social welfare law, cohort members gain access to diverse career development opportunities, regardless of their backgrounds.
The Access to Justice Foundation relies on the legal community to fund the SSJS Programme and, as always, takes a flexible approach to fundraising. We would be thrilled to talk to anyone who shares a vision for society where everyone has access to justice and explore avenues to strategically support the SSJS Programme in a way that best suits your needs, while simultaneously helping your firm or chambers achieve your corporate social responsibility aims. The Development Team at the Access to Justice Foundation is always happy to discuss how you can be part of the picture.
Notes to Editors
- The Supporting Social Justice Solicitors (SSJS) Programme is an initiative dedicated to bolstering social justice by empowering newly qualified solicitors to begin their career in free legal advice services.
- The SSJS Programme, in collaboration with the Social Welfare Solicitors Qualification Fund (https://clls.org/initiatives/swsqf.html) (SWSQF), is designed to secure a talent pipeline of solicitors proven to contribute significantly to social welfare work.
- The SSJS Programme will fund the salaries of SWSQF recipients through their 2-years’ qualifying work experience, enabling newly qualified solicitors to work on the frontline of free legal advice services.
About The Access to Justice Foundation
- The Access to Justice Foundation is committed to promoting access to justice for the most marginalised individuals and communities across the UK. As a charity, we work with a network of supporters to fund free legal advice organisations and projects across England and Wales, enabling those in need to seek legal assistance.
- We were established in 2008 by the legal profession pursuant to section 194 of the Legal Services Act 2007. The Act introduced Pro Bono Costs Orders, which are awarded to the Access to Justice Foundation. Trustees are drawn from its member organisations as well as independently appointed by our Board.
- We raise additional funds from the donation of residual client balances from law firms, through local Legal Walks, and via other fundraising events. You can find out more about our “Be Part of the Picture” campaign here.
- Enquiries about the Foundation may be directed to enquiries@atjf.org.uk
About the Social Welfare Solicitors Qualification Fund (SWSQF)
- The Social Welfare Solicitors Qualification Fund (SWSQF) is an initiative by the City of London Law Society (https://clls.org/), BARBRI (https://www.barbri.com/) and Young Legal Aid Lawyers (https://younglegalaidlawyers.org/) to provide financial assistance to aspiring solicitors working in social welfare law for organisations serving disadvantaged communities.
- The SWSQF funds the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) preparation courses and assessments.