RECENT changes to the Legal Aid system are causing concern in cases involving children. In the last ten months only eight cases for funding were granted from 617 applications in exceptional need cases.

"This is leading to many more litigants in person appearing before the court, and for others choosing not to even try the judicial process," said Nick O'Hara, managing partner of Worcester law firm Thursfields. "In family law, where matters can involve children, the inability for parents and carers to access legal advice is a cause for concern. The provision of quality legal advice in such sensitive situations is imperative. In difficult and stressful times following separation or a disagreement, it can be hard for parents and carers to remain focussed on the needs of the child. There is a real benefit in having a trained legal specialist to assist through the process.”

Thursfields has launched a fixed fee scheme to assist those who need affordable legal advice to deal with matters relating to children, under the Children Act 1989. This applies to applications relating to contact, residence, grandparents’ rights and parental responsibility to name a few.

Hollie Styles, Thursfields' family law specialist, added: "All clients require transparency in legal fees and more particularly in cases involving emotive issues such as children’s rights. In the Family Law Team, we have listened to our clients and sought to develop an affordable scheme which helps rather than hinders at a difficult time.”