Grant News
The Access to Justice Foundation has announced that its Legal Support Grant 2026 will open for applications in early June 2026. The Legal Support grant is a funding programme for organisations providing free legal support across England and Wales.
The online application form and eligibility criteria will be posted on the foundation’s grant page when the round opens. The foundation also plans to hold an online information session after launch, with details to follow.
The foundation has primarily funded free legal advice and representation projects, particularly in social welfare law and for people unlikely to access paid legal help.
Examples include:
- Law centres and advice agencies providing free or low-cost legal help, such as Wiltshire Law Centre, Vauxhall Community Law and Information Centre and Speakeasy Law Centre. ATJF says its funded partners range from established advice centres to newer approaches focused on local need.
- Housing, immigration, asylum, welfare benefits, employment, discrimination and public law advice, including work by Southwark Law Centre and Tower Hamlets Law Centre.
- Refugee and migrant legal support, including South Yorkshire Refugee Law and Justice, which offers free immigration advice and representation to people seeking sanctuary, and RAMFEL, which provides free and affordable immigration advice and representation.
- Legal representation for people who cannot afford a lawyer and do not qualify for legal aid, such as the Free Representation Unit.
- Pro bono infrastructure, including projects that recruit, train and support volunteer lawyers. The Asylum Support Appeals Project used ATJF funding to run its pro bono service and support 12 new pro bono volunteers; ATJF said 88 people were advised or represented, with 84% accessing accommodation or financial support.
- Partnerships with law firms, such as Citizens Advice Braintree and South Essex working with six local law firms to provide pro bono legal advice to nearly 800 residents.
The Foundation appears willing to fund both direct client advice and capacity-building work, including solicitor development, volunteer coordination and referral partnerships, not just one-off casework.