The research contributes fresh insights to inform early intervention and public legal education strategies to support access to justice for marginalised communities.
It highlights the important role of trusted intermediaries – local organisations that people already go to for help – in supporting people to recognise and deal with problems earlier, before they spiral.
This is vital at a time when legal needs far exceed the capacity of existing services. Living on very low incomes and struggling to make ends meet meant that problems quickly led to people being unable to pay for food or heating, deteriorating health, and even losing their homes when unresolved.
