Justice in a Time of Austerity

“[This] powerful and important book shows the human impact of austerity… should be read by all politicians and policy advisers.” The Times

“The authors are clear: legal aid in its old form has gone and ain’t coming back… We need new thinking, and this book gives a solid base to begin.” New Law Journal

“A powerful case for better legal aid.” Law Society Gazette

“The skill with which the authors interweave background information… with first-hand accounts of the struggling legal system, is masterful. The aim of this book is not simply to reveal the impact of Austerity on the legal system, and persons living in poverty, although it does a brilliant job of that. The authors endeavour also to offer a sense of a way forward.” Frontiers of Socio-Legal Studies

“A timely and vital exposé of the pressures exerted upon our justice system by a decade of political neglect, giving a much-needed voice to those who, as a result, have found themselves cut off from justice.” The Secret Barrister

“The effects of COVID-19 have increased unemployment, poverty and evictions. Those without means need support to access justice. But this timely book shows there is no true equality of arms.” Penelope Gibbs, Transform Justice

“Successive governments have been keen to emasculate challenge, and suppress the impoverished. Long before austerity, long before COVID-19, right up to the 2021 Budget. No mention of justice, let alone provision. This book has the history, has the contemporary narrative. It is the voice missing from the empty rhetoric of politicians and gives a stark measure of a society without due process.” Michael Mansfield QC

“A much-needed addition to the literature on the devastation of austerity in the UK. This book sheds light on one of the most important – yet least highlighted – aspects of how austerity policies shattered lives and vital safeguards in our society: access to justice in the civil and family courts for people without means.” Mary O'Hara, author and journalist

“A journey through, and call-to-arms for, austerity Britain, where access to justice in housing, food, benefits, the right to remain and family life is denied through poverty and inequality – and by design.” Steve Tombs, The Open University

“A valuable contribution to debates on access to justice beyond academia with an interesting and engaging style of vignettes to tell a bigger story.” Lucy Welsh, University of Sussex

“This book should be a call to arms. If you are a tribune of the people who has ever poured scorn on “activist lawyers”, I dare you to read this. If you are a lawyer or even a concerned citizen who has never felt comfortable with the “activist” tag, it may just tempt you to reconsider.” Baroness Shami Chakrabarti

“This important book chronicles the struggles of those excluded from the justice system and the difficulties of the professionals still trying to help. It issues a powerful case for change.” Hannah Quirk, King's College, London

Jon Robins is an award-winning freelance journalist, author and a lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University in the Department of Law and Criminology. He has written about justice issues for over 20 years for the Guardian, The Times, The Independent on Sunday, The Mail on Sunday and Observer, as well as two books on miscarriages of justice. He is the founder of The Justice Gap Website: https://www.thejusticegap.com/author/jon-robins/

Daniel Newman is Senior Lecturer in Law at Cardiff University. He researches and writes extensively on topics around access to justice, including on a bestselling book on the impact of legal aid cuts and numerous journal articles.

Conveyor Belt Justice

In the Shadow of Grenfell

On the Streets

Christmas at the Foodbank

Meeting the Real ‘Daniel Blakes’

Caught in a Hostile Environment

Deserts and Droughts

Heading for Breakdown

Death by a Thousand Cuts

A Way Forward