FLAC, the group which campaigns for improved access to justice, has repeated its call for a root and branch review of the civil legal aid system to be included in any new Programme for Government.

The organisation’s chief executive Eilis Barry called on party leaders engaging in government formation talks to ensure that access to justice is “part of a new social contract”.

Concerns

Before the general election in February, FLAC contacted candidates to highlight its concerns on issues such as the long wait times, strict means test, exclusions and limitations in accessing civil legal aid through the Legal Aid Board, the statutory body responsible for administering civil legal aid in the State.

The FLAC chief executive added that some of the most vulnerable members of society seeking to resolve family law proceedings had been faced with what she described as “wholly unsuitable” court facilities.

Courts

“It is important to note that as the courts have been closed to non-urgent business during the Covid-19 crisis, all of the normal difficulties that face individuals that lead them to engaging in the courts are continuing. Access and maintenance orders, and other family law matters, will remain outstanding and will need to be dealt with in an already under-resourced system,” she said.

FLAC is also calling for the new government to prioritise funding for the establishment of dedicated and integrated family and children’s courts in Hammond Lane in Dublin and around the country.