Vulnerability, legal need and technology in England and Wales

Abstract

This paper explores legal need and legal advice in England and Wales during the COVID-19 pandemic. It uses the lens of vulnerability theory to examine the ways in which this crisis exposed pre-existing fragilities between the state and its relationship with the advice sector, and the individuals who experience social welfare problems. The paper commences by exploring Fineman’s vulnerability thesis and its application to those experiencing social welfare-related issues, as well as the vulnerability of the systems operating to give advice. The paper then considers the specific context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact on needs, and the ability of the sector to meet these needs. Drawing on policy documents, reports and three case studies from law centres in England and Wales, it discusses the concept of legal need and the realities being experienced. These case studies assist us in being able to critically consider the topics of vulnerability, changing needs and the role that technology is, and can play during the pandemic and beyond. Lastly, the paper points to the need for a critical consideration of the sustainability and format of legal advice in addressing legal need in the post-COVID-19 landscape.

Maximising the health impacts of free advice services in the UK: A mixed methods systematic review

“…Previously identified issues that advice services can help to address such as overstretched GP surgeries (Watt, 2011) and unequal access to support, information and resources are likely to have increased dramatically during the COVID‐19 pandemic. There has certainly been a dramatic increase in the number of people claiming means‐tested benefits (HOC Library, 2020) as well as an increase in the need for legal advice on social welfare issues (Citizens Advice, 2020; Newman et al., 2021). Additionally, the pandemic has disproportionately impacted those who are already at greater risk of suffering poor health outcomes and for whom advice services have a vital role.…”

Holistic Legal Support for Litigants in Person: The North and Mid Wales Law Clinic Partnership

“…If the problem is unresolved justice problems, a wider range of options opens up" (Sandefur, 2019, 50). Given that most law graduates will not go on to become solicitors or barristers (see e.g, Law Society, 2020), and with a larger and more diverse number of people needing access to justice help (see e.g., Mant & Newman, 2021) it is valuable, perhaps even crucial, that students be exposed to a range of modern paraprofessional justice careers.…”