Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Access to Justice

Tuesday 11 November 2025 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Labour Government's investment in legal aid and legal services is welcomed, but young people from deprived backgrounds face difficulties in accessing justice.
  • Raising awareness of legal rights and expanding access to legal support, including digital advice, is crucial for those who are unaware of available services.
  • The Government is considering the review of criminal law involving common law and case law, as raised in previous inquiries.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ian Lavery Lab Blyth and Ashington
Justice & Courts Standards & Ethics
Context

The question addresses the issue of young people from deprived backgrounds struggling to access legal aid despite government investment in civil legal aid.

Question

Labour Government’s investment in legal aid and legal services is hugely welcome. However, expert analysis has shown that young people from more deprived backgrounds find it difficult to access justice. People in constituencies like mine are unaware of what is available to them when they need it most. Can the Minister assure me that everything possible is being done to ensure our constituents are aware of how to access the justice they deserve and require urgently?

Answer from The Minister for Courts and Legal Services (Sarah Sackman)

My hon. Friend raises a very important issue. If people do not know their rights, they cannot enforce them; raising awareness is crucial. We are expanding access to legal support where people live their lives, including the online service that allows young people to access digital legal advice.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide specific measures or commitments for increasing awareness among young people from deprived backgrounds beyond mentioning an online service.

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Q2 Zöe Franklin Lib Dem Guildford
Justice & Courts
Context

The question pertains to the issue of people still imprisoned based on legal tests that have been deemed incorrect, particularly those from marginalised communities convicted under joint enterprise.

Question

I was interested in hearing the Minister’s answers to the previous questions but true access to justice must include those still imprisoned due to legal tests now ruled wrong. Will the Government consider adopting a review mechanism similar to my amendment in the Sentencing Bill, which would create a statutory process for reviewing convictions?

Answer from The Minister for Courts and Legal Services (Sarah Sackman)

The review of criminal law in this area is very delicate, involving common law and case law. We are keeping it under review.

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to adopting the specific review mechanism proposed by the MP; instead, she referred to a general review process.

How: Keeping It Under Review

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