The economic downturn has led to more people requiring legal aid, the Legal Aid Board has said. It provides civil legal aid and advice to those who cannot afford a solicitor.
Since the end of 2006, demand for the board’s law centre network for general civil matters increased by 93 per cent. The board said the increase in demand was driven by two factors. The recession has meant more people satisfy the means test to avail of services. There was also greater need in the downturn for services like family law and debt.