All about areas of unmet legal need and advice deserts
For many, becoming a lawyer is a vocation, where personal experiences in your life draw you to a career where you can make a difference to people's lives. Never before has there been such a need to support society and those within it with the challenges that daily life can bring. There are vast areas of unmet legal need and advice deserts in our society and you may have the skills and passion to advocate for those who are unable, for whatever reason, to advocate for themselves.
What is unmet legal need?
Many people in this country now cannot access legal services because they are either ineligible or there is no legal aid or they simply cannot afford to pay a solicitor. Research shows this cohort tend to have 'clusters' of legal problems that are usually interlinked and early interventions can often avoid further entrenchment into difficulty.
What are advice deserts?
Similarly, there are also many parts of the country where there are no lawyers who specialise in these social welfare areas of law because of a variety of intersecting factors. Often it's law firms offering the most money that tend to entice some of the best candidates, coupled with a misapprehension by many candidates these areas of law are in some way 'less than' the more commercial areas. This has, over time, led to a shortage in service providers while we have seen an increase in the number of potential users of such services.
Do you want to make a real difference in people's lives?
You don't have to work in the City or for a magic circle firm to have a great career in law. For example, some of the most fascinating complex legal cases emanate from criminal cases often retained by a firm from having sent a paralegal to represent the client at the police station.
Let's look at some of these practice areas in more detail
Here, we are focussing on some of those practice areas that may not necessarily be the most lucrative but punch massively above their weight in terms of benefitting society and those in society who are most in need of legal support.
Civil rights and discrimination law
Civil rights and discrimination lawyers in England and Wales focus on protecting and advocating for individuals' rights and freedoms, ensuring equality and justice. Their work involves addressing violations of civil rights and tackling discrimination in various contexts.
Criminal law
Criminal lawyers play a crucial role in the justice system by representing individuals accused of committing crimes, as well as the prosecution of criminal cases.
Family and child care law
Family and childcare lawyers in England and Wales specialise in legal matters related to family relationships and the welfare of children. Their work encompasses a wide range of issues, from divorce and child custody to adoption and protection from domestic abuse.
Housing law
Housing lawyers in England and Wales specialise in a wide array of legal matters related to housing, assisting both tenants and landlords, as well as housing associations and local authorities. Their roles and responsibilities encompass various aspects of housing law, ensuring fair treatment, and the protection of rights within the housing sector.
Immigration law
Immigration lawyers specialise in the complex and ever-evolving field of immigration law, providing a range of services to individuals, families, and businesses.
Social welfare law
Social welfare lawyers specialise in various areas of law related to social justice, providing legal assistance to individuals who face issues with accessing essential services and benefits. Their work encompasses a broad range of activities and responsibilities aimed at protecting the rights of vulnerable populations and ensuring fair treatment.