Increase Public Understanding

Affordable advice and digital justice

Grant: £73,775
November 14, 2018

This partnership project by Law for Life and Resolution proposes an innovative approach to providing affordable legal advice to separating couples. It harnesses the expertise and strong track records of the two organisations, pioneering new ways of working to support separating families.

The pilot presents a unique opportunity for Law for Life to partner with the leading membership organisation for family justice professionals who are committed to offering affordable access to legal advice. Since the introduction of LASPO 2012, legal aid is not provided in most areas of family law, including early advice. Early advice is no longer available for issues such as family breakdown, divorce and child arrangements. Familial disputes - such as those regarding child arrangements - can escalate to court unnecessarily. These often result in more complex and costly legal proceedings, which ultimately have a more negative impact on families, and particularly children.

Increasing awareness about intermediaries

Grant: £30,000
November 14, 2018

To develop a communication platform, infrastructure and tools to raise awareness, so that more eligible individuals receive assistance and gain fair access to justice.

There are three parts to project:

1. Redevelopment of IfJ’s website with addition of Contact Relationship Management (CRM) and Content Management System (CMS)
   • Streamline IfJ’s website and administration
2. Create 1 promotional and 3 short training films to inform public and professionals about the intermediary role.
3. Develop an Online Resource Platform on IfJ’s website
   • an in-depth library of ‘best practice’ with training materials (SM 7. Content and development).
   • go-to place for anyone seeking information related to how vulnerable people within the justice system can be helped by intermediaries

Second Year of Falmouth Dracaena Centre Webcam Advice Project

Grant: £24,230
September 5, 2018

The Falmouth Dracaena Centre Webcam Advice Project is a partnership between the Legal Advice Centre and the Dracaena Centre (Falmouth.

Engagement with the Dracaena Centre is key to the projects sustainability, and a great deal of time has been invested by the Legal Advice Centre in assisting the Dracaena Centre with fundraising, as the ambition is that the Dracaena Centre can take ownership of this project once it has secured funding in its own right.

Is your relationship abusive?

Grant: £72,923
June 20, 2018

Developing and implementing a series of digital resources for survivors of domestic abuse in order to enhance understanding of the legal remedies available, including embedding resources in web-sites of the Finding Legal Options for Women Survivors partners, local authorities and the police, and adding a chatbot to the RCJ CAB's pioneering CourtNav tool.

Family Court Reporting Watch Consolidation Project

Grant: £40,000
June 20, 2018

Supporting the organisation to develop to reach wider audiences and exploring collaboration, aimed at increasing understanding amongst the public of the family justice system.

Separation Solutions Finder

Grant: £130,000
November 13, 2017

Relate have concluded that it is not currently feasible to launch the full end-to-end, joint negotiation process envisioned by Rechtwijzer. However, it has identified a clear need for a well-designed interactive guided pathway and ‘separation solutions finder’.

This digital service will help divorcing parents become more informed about their separation, and more emotionally and practically ready to effectively resolve matters out-of-court. It will also make them more able to take advantage of fixed fee and unbundled arrangements, if legal advice or mediation is required.

The project will draw on the extensive research, proven approaches and content, as well as cross-sector relationships to rapidly configure the service.

Relate will work closely with users and likeminded legal firms in designing and testing the tool. Their input will vitally shape the offer for OFDR v2.0 and help identify sustainable sources of income to drive forward its reach and impact.

Delivering ‘just in time’ information on maternity rights at work

Grant: £39,500
November 13, 2017

The project will deliver ‘just in time’ information for pregnant women on maternity rights at work through apps and other social media channels.

The project will:

• engage with commercial apps targeting pregnant women and negotiate for inclusion of customised text and existing videos in the apps as free content, building on their experience of working with a non-commercial app provider;
• develop and implement a plan to deliver maternity rights information using social media channels, including development of appropriate visual materials;
• review and improve the navigation on their website to improve access to video and text materials, recognising the increased use of mobiles to access online information;
• evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions to inform future projects to build legal capability.

Maternity Action is well-placed to undertake this work as they are currently completing a project to deliver ‘just in time’ information on maternity rights through the Baby Buddy app, which is provided by the charity Best Beginnings.

Securing an inclusive and effective Domestic Violence & Abuse Act

Grant: £61,734
November 13, 2017

The Queen’s Speech in June 2017 announced a new Domestic Violence and Abuse Bill (DV&A Bill). It is critical that this legislation is inclusive, addressing the needs and realities of all women victims of domestic abuse in England, including BME victims and non-UK citizens, and remedies the weaknesses of the current legal and policy framework.

Through this project, Sisters For Change will:

• Provide legal education and technical legal support to Black and Ethnic Minority (BME) Violence Against Women (VAW) service providers to enable them to participate in the legislative consultation process relating to the Bill.
• Educate Parliamentarians and Government officials about the complexities of domestic abuse, with specific emphasis on BME women victims; the weaknesses of the current legal framework; and priorities for reform.
• Advocate at the national and local level to influence the content of the DV&A Bill and ensure legislation that provides effective protection and support for all women victims.

Delivering maternity rights information through apps and email-based notification

Grant: £8,000
October 11, 2017

Addressing the IT needs of Fair Trials

Grant: £7,850
August 4, 2017

Fair Trials’ IT system is currently not fit for purpose. As an increasingly international organisation, with offices based in London, Brussels and Washington DC, the reliance of the team on a single server hampers productivity and presents risks of organisational failure. The project will cover the costs of an IT consultation covering:

• A review of current IT situation;
• Assessment of IT needs based on business needs (London, Brussels, Washington DC);
• Proposed solution and outline IT strategy; and
• Selection of supplier to implement IT strategy.

This consultation will enable the selection of the most appropriate IT system and the most cost-effective provider to implement the system, resulting in much-needed changes to Fair Trials’ IT systems, reflecting their growth and more complex needs.