Please write to your Member of Parliament to encourage the Ministry of Justice to maintain funding for our essential court services.
Issue
Every day, people face family breakdown, housing issues, debt, domestic abuse and other life-changing challenges without legal representation. They have no lawyer, no guide and no idea what might happen next. Having someone to turn to matters. That’s where Support Through Court comes in, providing free, practical help to anyone representing themselves in civil and family courts, ensuring they can navigate what can be an overwhelming and unfamiliar process with dignity and confidence.
Our charity was recently informed that our Ministry of Justice funding, which amounts to £300,000 per year, will be cut from October 2026. This money underpins our charity and is crucial to maintaining the operation of our 12 services across England and Wales. It represents a lifeline for people facing court alone, which last year enabled us to support unrepresented litigants on more than 51,000 occasions.
Why we need your help
People do not stop coming to court when support disappears. They simply face court alone. Our charity helps individuals, courts and the justice system work more effectively. For £300,000 a year, this investment helps tens of thousands of people navigate the justice system while easing pressure on courts and court staff across the country. It is an investment in access to justice that courts and litigants in person cannot afford to lose.
Please help by writing to your MP
Please help us urge the Ministry of Justice to reinstate funding and protect our services by writing to your MP.
We have included a template email below that you can use to do this. You can write to your MP quickly and easily using the UK Parliament Find your MP tool – simply enter your postcode, select your local MP and paste in the email below:
Subject: Please support funding for Support Through Court
Dear [MP Name],
I am writing as a constituent and supporter of Support Through Court. [Add in your connection with Support Through Court, and say if your service is in their constituency, or if their constituents will use the national helpline.]
The Ministry of Justice’s decision to cut £300,000 a year from Support Through Court will result in service closures and reduced support, limiting access to justice for thousands of people who rely on the charity’s help each year.
I know you will be concerned about the impact this will have on your constituents. Every year, thousands of people in your constituency face family and civil court proceedings without a lawyer. Many are dealing with issues such as domestic abuse, housing problems, disability, poor mental health, financial hardship or family breakdown. Without support, many struggle to understand court procedures, complete paperwork, comply with court directions or participate effectively in hearings.
Last year the charity supported court users on more than 51,000 occasions and helped people better understand court procedures, prepare for hearings and engage with the justice system. This not only benefits your constituents but also helps courts operate more effectively by reducing avoidable confusion, improving preparedness and enabling litigants in person to participate more effectively.
[Add any additional information here on the impacts on clients you see and your experience of Support Through Court.]
The Ministry of Justice has funded this service for more than sixteen years. The £300,000 annual contribution represents a modest investment that delivers significant value for court users and the wider justice system.
Given the impact on your constituents, I would be grateful if you would write to the Minister for Courts and Legal Services urging the continuation of funding for Support Through Court.
Yours sincerely,
[Name]
[Add your full address including postcode so the MP can see you’re in their constituency and will respond]
It only takes five minutes to contact your MP, but your email could help protect a service relied on over 50,000 times a year.
Please do also consider sharing on social media using the hashtag #NobodyShouldHaveToFaceCourtAlone.
Thank you for supporting our campaign.
If you have any questions about supporting the campaign, please email press.enquiries@Supportthroughcourt.org.
You can make a difference
Wondering how you can help people facing court alone? Learn more about the different ways you can help people forced to go through court without representation.
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Volunteer with us
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