Civil legal aid fees for eviction cases and immigration are to receive a £20m boost, marking the first increase since 1996.

The investment aims to help vulnerable people who face unfair eviction or being pushed into homelessness get access to legal advice, according to Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Shabana Mahmood. Subject to a consultation in January, an additional £20m will be invested into the legal aid sector every year.

This forms part of the government’s wider plans to make the legal aid sector more sustainable and to tackle the backlog in civil courts.

“This government is determined to improve the civil legal aid sector, which was left neglected for years,” said Mahmood. “This is an important step as we rebuild our justice system, ensuring it is fit for purpose for the society it serves and those who serve within it.”  

Richard Atkinson, president of the Law Society of England and Wales, said: “The government must now continue acting for the common good and invest across all areas of civil legal aid. This will ensure representation for families fighting eviction, tackling housing disrepair or a survivor of abuse seeking protection from a violent partner.”