Funding provided to charities and legal advice centres in civil and family legal disputes is welcomed by the Law Society, who warned there must be proper investment in the whole legal aid system to provide effective access to justice.

The Ministry of Justice has pledged around £4 million to charities and organisations providing legal advice to people facing civil and family legal disputes.

“We welcome this extra funding, which will allow civil and family-focused legal charities and organisations to provide support to the public as they seek to resolve their disputes,” said Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce.

“However, this financial backing only goes so far when investment in the legal aid system is so wanting.”