Deadline: 25-Jun-2026
The Access to Justice Foundation is offering £15 million in funding through the Legal Support Grant Programme 2026–2029 to strengthen access to free legal support across England and Wales. The programme supports charities delivering legal advice, online legal assistance, outreach services, and infrastructure improvements that help people resolve legal issues early and effectively.
About the Legal Support Grant Programme 2026–2029
The Legal Support Grant Programme 2026–2029 is a major funding initiative supported by the Ministry of Justice to improve access to free legal support services throughout England and Wales.
The programme aims to create a stronger, more sustainable legal support system by funding organizations that provide legal assistance, develop digital legal support tools, strengthen legal service infrastructure, and contribute to research and evidence-building in the legal aid sector.
The grant period runs from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2029.
Funding Overview
Total Programme Budget
- Total funding available: £15 million
- Funding period: 1 October 2026 – 31 March 2029
Grant Categories
1. Central National Online Support Offer
Organizations can apply for:
- £200,000–£350,000 per year
- Maximum funding: £875,000 over the grant period
2. Organisational Infrastructure Supporting Service Delivery
For organizations with annual income above £250,000:
- Up to £150,000 per year
- Maximum funding: £375,000
For organizations with annual income below £250,000:
- Up to £100,000 per year
- Maximum funding: £250,000
Programme Objectives
The programme seeks to:
- Improve access to free legal support
- Help people resolve legal problems earlier
- Strengthen pathways to appropriate legal assistance
- Improve coordination across legal support services
- Enhance digital and online legal support systems
- Build stronger evidence for future legal support policies
- Increase the sustainability of legal advice organizations
Priority Areas
Free Legal Support Services
Funding supports organizations that provide:
- Social welfare legal advice
- Family law support
- Community legal assistance
- Early intervention services
- Legal information and guidance
Digital Legal Support
Projects may include:
- National online legal support platforms
- Self-help legal resources
- Assisted digital services
- Online legal information systems
- Technology-enabled legal assistance
Outreach and Community Models
The programme encourages:
- Community outreach services
- Court-based legal support
- Embedded legal advice services
- Partnership delivery models
- Hub-and-spoke legal support networks
Research and Evidence Development
Funding supports initiatives that:
- Improve legal support data collection
- Measure service outcomes
- Build evidence on effective legal interventions
- Support sector-wide learning and evaluation
Activities Eligible for Funding
Grant funding may be used for:
Staffing and Service Delivery
- Staff salaries
- Service management
- Administrative support
- Training and workforce development
Organisational Development
- Capacity-building activities
- Partnership development
- Governance improvements
- Operational strengthening
Digital Infrastructure
- Online support platforms
- Website improvements
- Client management systems
- Digital service tools
- Technology upgrades
Evaluation and Research
- Monitoring systems
- Data collection activities
- Client feedback processes
- Evaluation participation
- Outcomes measurement
Who Is Eligible?
Eligible applicants must:
- Be registered with the Charity Commission
- Operate in England and Wales
- Have a proven track record of delivering social welfare or family legal advice and support
- Be willing to participate in research, monitoring, and evaluation activities
- Demonstrate organizational capacity to deliver the proposed project
Who Is Not Eligible?
The following cannot apply:
- Universities
- Private law firms
- Individual applicants
- Partnerships
- Consortiums
Monitoring and Reporting Requirements
Successful applicants must:
- Participate in independent evaluation activities
- Pilot and contribute to a shared outcomes framework
- Submit monitoring reports
- Provide pseudonymised client-level data
- Support client feedback collection
- Contribute evidence to programme research activities
- Participate in learning and evaluation initiatives throughout the grant period
Why This Funding Matters
Many people face barriers when seeking legal help, particularly in areas such as housing, debt, family issues, welfare benefits, and employment.
This programme aims to:
- Increase access to justice
- Improve early legal intervention
- Strengthen community legal services
- Expand digital access to legal support
- Create a more sustainable legal assistance sector
- Improve outcomes for vulnerable individuals and families
By supporting organizations that provide free legal support, the programme helps ensure that people can access timely advice before legal problems escalate.
How to Apply
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Ensure your organization:
- Is a registered charity
- Delivers social welfare or family legal support
- Meets programme eligibility requirements
Step 2: Select the Appropriate Funding Stream
Determine whether your project focuses on:
- A Central National Online Support Offer, or
- Organisational Infrastructure Supporting Service Delivery
Step 3: Develop Your Proposal
Clearly explain:
- The legal needs being addressed
- Target beneficiaries
- Planned activities
- Expected outcomes
- Monitoring and evaluation approach
- Budget requirements
Step 4: Demonstrate Impact
Include evidence of:
- Previous service delivery
- Community need
- Organizational capacity
- Partnerships and collaboration
- Expected benefits for access to justice
Step 5: Submit the Application
Submit all required documentation according to programme guidelines and deadlines.
Common Application Mistakes to Avoid
- Failing to demonstrate a proven legal support track record
- Submitting unclear outcome measures
- Providing insufficient evidence of community need
- Underestimating monitoring and reporting requirements
- Requesting funding for ineligible activities
- Omitting evaluation and data collection plans
- Presenting unrealistic budgets
Ineligible Costs
Funding cannot be used for:
- Lobbying activities
- Political campaigning or influence
- Religious activities
- Fines and penalties
- Legal compensation payments
- Reclaimable VAT
- Building purchases
- Activities already fully funded from another source
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How much funding is available?
The programme provides a total funding pool of £15 million between October 2026 and March 2029.
2. Who can apply?
Registered charities with experience delivering social welfare or family legal support services in England and Wales.
3. Can universities apply?
No. Universities are not eligible applicants.
4. Can private law firms apply?
No. Private law firms are specifically excluded.
5. Can funding be used for staff salaries?
Yes. Staffing, management, administration, and training costs are eligible.
6. Is participation in evaluation mandatory?
Yes. Funded organizations must participate in monitoring, research, data collection, and evaluation activities.
7. Can funding support digital legal services?
Yes. The programme specifically supports online legal support systems, digital tools, self-help resources, and technology-enabled legal assistance.
Conclusion
The Access to Justice Foundation Legal Support Grant Programme 2026–2029 represents a significant investment in improving access to free legal support across England and Wales. With £15 million available, the programme will strengthen legal advice services, expand digital support options, improve evidence-based practice, and help ensure that individuals can access timely legal assistance when they need it most. Organizations with a strong track record in legal support delivery have an opportunity to secure substantial funding while contributing to a more effective and accessible justice system.
For more information, visit The Access to Justice Foundation.
