Press Release
Study Reveals Wider Impact of Legal Problems on People's Lives
23 March 2006More than half of civil legal problems lead to adverse outcomes such as ill-health, unemployment and homelessness, according to a study released today by the Legal Services Research Centre (LSRC).
The research paper Causes of Action highlights how solving civil legal problems can reduce demand on other public services when problems are addressed early.
The study is the most in-depth and long-term study into civil justice problems conducted in England and Wales. It is funded by the Legal Services Commission (LSC) and the Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA).
The research revealed a significant reduction in the number of people not taking action to resolve their problems in recent years. But still around one in ten people with legal problems are still not seeking advice, and around 15% of those who seek advice fail to obtain any.
Welcoming the findings, Constitutional Affairs Minister Rt Hon Harriet Harman QC MP said:
“This research highlights the benefits that can be gained by developing better ways to focus legal aid where there is greatest need. I am delighted that this research is announced on the same day as the new LSC strategy for the Community Legal Service.”
Other main findings:
A third of civil justice problems affect people’s health. 18 per cent of problems lead to stress-related ill-health, and 16 per cent of problems lead to physical ill-health. Of those who had physical health problems:
- 4 in 5 needed medical treatment
- 2 in 3 treated by GPs required an average of six appointments
- 1 in 10 who are hospitalised spend an average of 9.5 days as in-patients.
6% lead to loss of home.
Civil problems can bring about and worsen social exclusion.
Half of victims of crime also report a civil justice problem.
Three principal and distinct problem clusters can be identified. Clustering of problems occurs when there is a tendency for particular problems to be experienced simultaneously or in sequence by the same person. An understanding of clustering can help us to develop advice and legal services that address people’s related needs. These are:
- ‘Family’ (domestic violence, divorce, relationship and children problems.)
- ‘Homelessness’ (rented housing, homelessness and benefits.)
- ‘Economic’ (money & debt, consumer, and employment problems.)
Michael Bichard, LSC Chair said:
“This research makes our challenge plain: get more legal advice to people and make it easy to find. The figures show that when people get early advice they will be healthier and happier. There is also a benefit to the public purse by avoiding the downstream cost of unsolved problems. The evidence of ‘problem clusters’ clearly shows the importance of joined up public services. Our new strategy for the Community Legal Service will make a real difference in tackling these challenges.”
Pascoe Pleasence, Head of the Legal Services Research Centre, said:
“The extent of the public and personal impact of civil justice problems is striking, and runs to many billions of pounds each year. Combined with our findings that people who obtain advice are more likely to resolve their problems, it indicates clearly that advice and legal services have a role that extends beyond resolving discrete 'legal' problems - a social welfare role."
Client case study
Peter* from Derby is disabled and found himself homeless because his rented accommodation wasn’t properly adapted for wheelchair access. His housing application was denied because he was in arrears after not having received his Housing Benefit so he had to stay with his mother. A doctor confirmed that sleeping on the settee, having to crawl to the toilet and not being able to wash adequately was detrimental to his health.
He has seen a huge improvement in his quality of life since the LSC granted legal aid to pay for help from Derbyshire Housing Aid. Legal work challenged the decisions made by a number of the local authority’s departments, and Peter’s needs were assessed again, he was re-housed into suitable adapted accommodation and he received £1,500 he was entitled to in Housing Benefit and £200 compensation.
Peter said: "I was really impressed by the level of advice and all the help that my advisor gave me. I now have no rent arrears and I am now happy in my new home, which is adapted for wheelchair use. Without the advice I would be homeless and in debt."
Many in the medical profession regularly see problems like Peter’s. The following GPs refer patients to specialist advice on debt and accessing welfare benefits as part of a project funded by the Legal Services Commission involving six Northampton surgeries. The project has helped over 1,200 people since April 2002.
Dr Simon Tickle, GP at the Maple Access Practice, said:
"This project has had a really positive impact. It's important to address the cause of people's medical and psychological problems as well as the symptoms. Dealing with patients' legal and financial issues reduces their stress levels. In addition, having a one-stop-shop approach, with the services patients need under our own roof, is immensely valuable."
Dr David Smart, GP at Leicester Terrace Health Care Centre with a special interest in mental health for Northampton Primary Care Trust, said:
"Debt is a significant cause of suicide so I believe that access to legal advice and debt counselling has a significant impact on people's health. Patients that have financial problems are benefiting from this service and getting the help they need, so are requiring less help from their GP."
Please visit the Legal Updates pages of this site for the 'Causes of Action' book order form and a Summary of the Key Findings.
For more information and copies of the CLS Strategy or Causes of Action research please contact:
Michaela Keating
Tel: 020 7759 0444
Email: mailto:michaela.keating@legalservices.gov.uk
Notes to editors
1. LSC-funded Health project in Northampton is 75 per cent LSC funded. Through the project GP’s and other health professionals such as Practice Nurses and Health Visitors refer cases to two full time specialist advice workers, who then contact the person to arrange a home visit or an appointment which takes place at their surgery. They look at each individual’s circumstances and can also refer them to other appropriate sources of specialist help, such as a quality-marked debt advisor.
2. The Legal Services Research Centre is the independent research arm of the Legal Services Commission, the body responsible for legal aid in England and Wales.
Last updated: 28 December 2006