From next Monday the Law Society estimates 650, 000 cases will no longer qualify for financial help, stopping many from getting advice and representation.

It is thought 200, 000 people filing for divorce will be affected when the cut-off point for the top amount of money they earn combined with the equity they have, is lowered.

People earning over £14, 000 will now need to take a much more in-depth means test before they can be granted legal aid.

Liz Bruce, a family lawyer for Bristol-based firm Lyons Davidson, said the impending cuts had already had a huge impact on firms, with many reaching case load capacity.

She said: “I know that firms have had a real rush in the last couple of months. People are suddenly realising they need to get in there before legal aid ends.

“I know a lot of firms don’t have room for any more clients now because they have had so many. Cutting the funding is a massive change. It is preventing a really big pool of people from getting access to solicitors for what is already a traumatic event in the first place.

“They need lawyers to give them guidance and to not have that during the event is absolutely awful. It will have a massive effect on the legal system too.

“The current system will find itself overwhelmed by people trying to take cases to court themselves, it will affect the solicitors, parties and the court system.”

At least 70 per cent of family cases, including divorce, custody issues and financial disputes, will no longer be applicable for legal aid after the cuts once put in place.

Couples on low incomes, benefits or with major differences or disagreements regarding children used to qualify for the broad funding scheme in an attempt to provide them with the help and guidance needed.

However now only those who can prove they are victims of domestic violence will qualify outright.

Marc Lopatin, founder of Lawyers Supporting Mediation, a family mediation service made up of a network of senior family lawyers, said he has also seen a dramatic rise in the number of cases the last few weeks: “There is a sense of panic, with lots of people running to lodge the paperwork for legal aid before the change goes into force, ” he said.

“There’s a stark situation right now for people wanting to divorce - the reality has sunk in and they’ve realised it’s the eleventh hour and they’re trying their best to get help while it’s still available.”

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

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