Law Society of Northern Ireland highlights the transformative impact of Legal Aid in groundbreaking report
The Law Society of Northern Ireland has officially launched its much-anticipated report, "The Social Value of Legal Aid," an in-depth study revealing the impactful societal, economic, and personal benefits delivered by legal aid services across the region.
Launched in a gathering at the Long Gallery in the historic Northern Ireland Assembly building, this report serves as a powerful testament to the role legal aid plays in ensuring justice and equality, particularly for the most vulnerable members of society.
Key Findings
Key findings of the report include that over £1 billion of goss benefits is generated by legal aid in Northern Ireland. It is estimated that this benefit was spread over 53,388 individuals receiving legal aid amounting to an average of £30,695 benefit per person.
To further understand the return on investment, the total gross benefits were divided across the total costs for each type of legal aid, the results are as follows:
- Family legal aid: £3.62 of social value per £1 invested.
- Civil (non-family) legal aid: £4.55 per £1 invested.
- Criminal legal aid: £12.71 per £1 invested.
Overall, the analysis suggests that Legal Aid has a positive return on investment across all areas of law. Taken together the results show that for every £1 invested in legal aid, £8.32 of social value is created, with 71% of these benefits directly improving the lives of clients and their families.
Interestingly, this research found a range of broader impacts in that Legal aid helps avert issues such as homelessness, family breakdowns, and unemployment as it supports the justice system and public services by resolving disputes effectively and efficiently.
A Rigorous Study and Methodology
The research, conducted by Rocket Science Consultancy, employed a Social Return on Investment (SROI) approach to quantify the wide-reaching impacts of legal aid. By combining extensive consultations with stakeholders and survey responses from over 340 legal professionals, the report provides a detailed breakdown of how legal aid benefits individuals, families, and public systems.
The report also focused on legal aid services delivered between April 2021 and December 2023, uncovering 12 measurable outcomes that reflect its value. These include enhanced quality of life, reduced family conflicts, fewer criminal convictions, and savings for public services such as social work and policing.
A Call to Action
Speaking at the launch event, Colin Mitchell, President of the Law Society of Northern Ireland, called for immediate recognition of legal aid's value:
"Legal aid is not merely a publicly funded service—it is a lifeline. This report emphasizes that legal aid is not a cost to society, but an essential investment in fairness, equality, and justice. Policymakers must act to ensure the sustainability of this vital system."
Joanne Bunting, MLA and Chair of the Justice Committee, added her voice to the call for action, warning of the challenges posed by underfunding, including solicitor shortages, case backlogs, and mounting strain on legal professionals.
Inspiring Lived Experiences
A dynamic panel discussion at the event provided powerful personal insights into the lived experiences of legal aid recipients and practitioners. Panelists shared moving stories about how legal aid supports individuals through some of the most challenging moments in their lives, from custody battles to navigating criminal charges.
Moving Forward
The Law Society is committed to advocating for the adequate resourcing and recognition of legal aid. This report marks a critical moment for stakeholders, policymakers, and practitioners to unite in support of ensuring justice for all.
For more information, or to read the full report, click the link below.
