Ali Evans, from Support through Court, explains the valuable support that the charity does, and her role there.

Recent figures from The Law Society paint a bleak picture of a broken court system: numbers of people representing themselves continue to increase, as do court backlogs, with the former contributing to the latter. Many family cases are eligible for legal aid but, of those eligible, many can’t find a legal aid provider able to take their case. Others are not eligible for legal aid but simply find themselves unable to pay for a lawyer. Many of the cases explored by The Law Society involve domestic abuse or children. Each day my colleagues see people who have no choice but to represent themselves at highly emotional moments that could have life-changing outcomes, such as loss of access to children or homelessness. Too many people find themselves in a legal system that was not designed for people to navigate without the help of a lawyer, desperate for somewhere to turn.

At Support Through Court, we provide a safe space for people facing court alone, with volunteers who listen to each client’s individual story. We help people to get their thoughts in order, problem-solve and decide next steps, source relevant and reliable legal information, explain complex procedures, complete court forms, and clearly present statements. Our practical and emotional support alleviates clients’ concerns about the complicated legal system. Our partnerships with legal clinics and third-sector organisations enable us to source complimentary specialist support for clients, such as domestic abuse or homelessness charities, and legal support if it’s available.

I have worked at Support Through Court since 2021, in a role supporting law firms and companies as they seek to make a difference to many of these people facing court alone.  My wonderful colleagues and our brilliant volunteer team (made up of over 600 volunteers!) listen and tailor their response to the needs of every person seeking our support. This is sometimes done in person and sometimes via remote support – we have a National Helpline and an online service. When I visit our services or listen in to calls, I’m always inspired by the commitment of our volunteers, their passion and their determination to help people unable to afford a lawyer or access legal aid. Last year our volunteers helped people on over 50,000 occasions.

We aim to make a difference not only to individuals but to the wider system. Our volunteers make a difference not only in the lead up to hearings, but by attending hearings and helping litigants in person with their next steps. The Lady Chief Justice shared this with me: “'Support Through Court continues to play a pivotal role in enabling access to justice for litigants in person. All participants in the process, not just the litigants themselves, but also the judges, lawyers, witnesses and court staff alike all stand to benefit from the contribution that it makes.”

My role at the charity involves growing and supporting an incredible network that enable us to do this much needed work. Our Guardians make up a private network of like-minded philanthropic individuals and organisations who are passionate about helping the most vulnerable people in our society to get fair access to justice. It’s brilliant to see their commitment to access to justice and how they are making a real and lasting difference to thousands of vulnerable litigants in person. Old Square’s Head of Chambers, Oliver Segal KC shared this about Old Square’s ethos:

“The excellent schemes [Support Through Court has] in place surrounding volunteer arrangements and facilitating exposure to the legal profession resonate strongly with Old Square’s ethos to promote access to the Bar as a profession. Their work is vital and tireless in support of those in need of their services. Chambers is proud to be a member of Support Through Court’s Guardian Network.”

It’s this dedication from our Guardians that motivates me – it's amazing what can happen when a company’s values collide with our mission. If you’re interested in how we work alongside others, I’d be happy to chat. For more information or to donate to help people facing court alone please see supportthroughcourt.org/donate or you’re welcome to contact me to find out more about our Guardians Network on a.evans@supportthroughcourt.org