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Information under threat

All of us, at some point in our lives, can expect to face a law-related issue and will need to be able to access accurate, up-to-date information. Whether it’s a shopping issue, a difficulty at work, or a problem with a landlord or bank the first step to dealing with the issue is to find out what rights apply to that situation.

Access to accurate information is an essential part of access to justice. Information may not have the drama of a court case or offer the personal support of a one-to-one with lawyer or adviser, but it does provide that crucial first step towards the knowledge and understanding needed to deal with an issue.

Information provides a starting point for the learning which equips people to deal with issues and situations. It provides the basis of the knowledge, basic skills and confidence needed to achieve a successful resolution.

Information can help people prepare for difficult situations; it can provide the basis of good decision making that can avoid problems altogether. It can encourage people to take action quickly to prevent problems escalating. And in a crisis it can direct to the best sources of expert advice.

Jonathan Djanogly MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice, has recently mentioned the need for a review of information, self help and education. That is very welcome. There is a pressing need for the Ministry of Justice to develop a clear strategy on the provision of information and education to equip people to deal with law-related issues.

Government’s main focus has been on rationalising government information and delivering it through the Directgov website. There’s sense in that, but it has had the unfortunate consequence of the closure of the Community Legal Advice (CLA) website and now threatens Advice Services Alliance’s Advicenow website, which provided much of CLA’s information.

Directgov has its role to play but it simply doesn’t provide enough on how to deal with a legal problem. Directgov's slogan is ‘less is more’ and the summary information it currently provides is likely to be reduced.

The Advicenow website can fill the gap. It provides a quality-controlled set of links to the best available information on rights and the law, as previously delivered via CLA. Advicenow also provides innovative and very effective guides on key issues. It has pioneered an attractive approach which caters for different learning styles while providing detailed step-by-step guidance. Advicenow’s guides don’t just deal with the law; they cover the processes and procedures people need to understand, describing what to do, and, crucially, how to do it.

At a time of economic uncertainty when more people will have to deal with difficulties it is important that this type of information is readily available. This was highlighted in the recent Civil Justice Council report on the needs of self-represented litigants which stressed the increasing need for high quality information. The report recommends that this should be provided by trusted experts in the field, including Advicenow.

It would be a tragedy if the Advicenow website service were to be lost at the time when it is needed most. Government needs a strategy for public legal information and education and Advicenow has a key role as part of a successful strategy.

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Law for Life
February 2012
 

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