CUTS to legal aid have created a two-tier justice system for the ‘haves and have-nots’ according to a North-East lawyer.

Government statistics show spending on legal aid has dropped sharply since cuts were imposed by the coalition government in 2012 under the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act (Laspo).

Last year, the Law Society said that the cuts and a dramatic decline in legal aid providers – down by 20 per cent between 2012 and 2017 – had left potentially hundreds of thousands of people struggling to access much-needed support.

In an attempt to mitigate the problem, a North-East law firm has launched a walk-in service offering free legal advice, consultations and signposting in Darlington.

Gavin Lucas, manager of DMA Law Link, believes the cuts are having a significant impact on the North-East and affecting some of its most vulnerable people, including victims of domestic abuse and children.

He said the firm's informal drop-in service was proving to be a lifeline for many, adding: “We want to offer the local community access to justice because these cuts are creating a two-tier legal system for the haves and the have-nots.

“There are now many people who are not pursuing justice because they don’t have the money to spend and it’s had a big impact in family law, in custody cases and divorces – people are getting trapped in nasty relationships or can’t get access to their children as they can’t get help through legal aid any more.

“There are still real class issues with the legal system, if you don’t have money to fund a solicitor and you can’t get legal aid, there’s nothing you can do unless you borrow it and debt brings other problems.

“The cuts have created a legal system that is fundamentally flawed and some of the most vulnerable people in our society are massively affected - they’re the people we’re seeing on a daily basis.

“We won’t turn anyone away and we’ve tried to create an environment that’s relaxed - we want to break down barriers so that people feel comfortable and so that the legal system is more accessible.

“Even if we can’t help them, we can make sure they’re passed onto someone who can.

“We are here to support and encourage people to deal with their legal issues and I think this is massively important.

DMA Law Link, at 40 Skinnergate, is open from 10am until 4pm Monday to Friday and from 10am until 2pm on Saturdays, with specialist clinics running regularly.

For more information, visit dma-law.co.uk or call 01325 489961.