Understanding legal needs and supporting early intervention – Interim findings from new research

Law for Life’s CEO Dr Lisa Wintersteiger is, in partnership with Dr Tara Mulqueen of Warwick Law School and Claire Stern of Central England Law Centre, undertaking research into the experiences of marginalised groups in dealing with law-related issues in Coventry in the wake of the pandemic and as the cost of living emergency continues. The study’s preliminary findings shed light on emerging needs, the barriers to accessing justice, the impact of increased reliance on digital technology, and the role of public legal education (PLE) in improving access to justice for marginalised groups.

So far, the research has focussed on the insight provided by ‘trusted intermediaries’, workers in frontline organisations who work directly with the communities concerned in the study. Interviews with the organisations, as well as background data collection, and a local stakeholder workshop, have provided such valuable insight into experiences of marginalised groups that the researchers have published a briefing on the emerging findings. 

Emerging findings

•  The most prevalent legal needs in the aftermath of the pandemic relate to welfare benefits, housing and homelessness, immigration, employment and social care.
• People from marginalised groups face significant barriers to dealing with law-related issues and accessing justice, including low levels of knowledge of rights and legal processes and sources of legal help. Prior negative experiences and a feeling of having ‘gone round in circles’ create fear, anxiety and lack of confidence, while being in ‘survival mode’ makes it difficult to navigate complex systems.
• Overall reductions in services, entitlements, and lack of capacity create systemic barriers to accessing health and legal support, and systems are particularly hard to navigate for people who already struggling due to intersecting vulnerabilities.
• Digitisation can make it more difficult to access help and support, and it can compound feelings of alienation. A lack of internet access and low levels of digital skills creates barriers to using online systems.
• Trusted intermediaries - organisations like foodbanks and social supermarkets, mental health charities, housing providers, and support and advocacy organisations -  play a pivotal role in providing practical support for people from marginalised groups to access justice. They actively participate in finding solutions and resolving issues at the earliest stage, including signposting, referrals, practical support, form filling, interpreting, and advocacy. More needs to be done to understand their capacity and willingness to take on this role, and what support they need to do it effectively.

Read the full 5 page briefing.

The next phases of the research will feature in depth interviews with individuals who have been supported by the intermediaries and direct accounts of their experiences, as well as a public legal education project with the intermediaries focused on tackling the issues identified in the study. Thanks to Nuffield for funding this research.