Record year for the Access to Justice Foundation as demand for free legal advice continues to rise

2025 was our highest income year ever, with total income reaching £16.6 million. We had nearly £45 million worth of active grants in place, our highest total ever, funding 119 organisations delivering free legal advice to communities across the UK. We’re proud that over 90% of everything we raise goes directly to the frontline, this is something we’ll keep working to protect.

We supported 264,390 people and among them 83% were living in poverty, 48% had a disability, 40% were from a racial or ethnic minority, and 56% were women. These are the people who need legal advice most, and who are least likely to get it without support.

Three quarters of clients who received advice resolved their problems earlier and avoided going to court. The same proportion came away with a clear understanding of their situation and what to do next. Almost three quarters felt in control and able to deal with their problems.

One of the most significant moments of the year came in September 2025, when the Competition Appeal Tribunal approved the first payment of undistributed damages from an opt-out collective action, approving a £3.78 million payment to the Foundation. 

As the prescribed charity designated to receive funds like these, we redirect that money to the communities most in need in line with our grant making strategy developed in collaboration with Advice UK, Age UK, Citizens Advice and Which? In January 2026, we launched a three-year unrestricted grants programme with that funding. 

This is a new and genuinely exciting funding model which we will continue to develop as collective actions progress through the courts.

December brought more good news. The Ministry of Justice announced a new £20 million grant for legal support, running from October 2026 to March 2029, which the Foundation will manage. The programme will focus on building the evidence base for what works so we can continue to make the case for sustained long-term investment in free legal advice.

We also continued to grow Pro Bono Costs Orders, generating over £475,000 with almost £100,000 of that recovered thanks to the support of our pro bono enforcement partner firms: Cooley, Norton Rose Fulbright, and Pallas Partners.

When people can’t access legal advice, the consequences don’t stay in the courtroom. Unresolved legal problems drive financial insecurity, mental health deterioration, and rising demand on emergency services, health, and social care. Every £1 spent on legal advice generates £2.71 in wider economic savings.

The organisations we fund are on the front line of this every day.