£3.7m in unclaimed cash from a class action settlement is being distributed to 16 organizations across the UK. The funds, part of the boundary fares case, will support legal and advice services in regions with limited access to free help. The Access to Justice Foundation is managing the grants, marking the first time unclaimed class action money has been redirected to community groups.
Clare Carter, chief executive of the Access to Justice Foundation, said the initiative strengthens access to justice for consumers. “These organizations are the first point of call for people to understand and enforce their rights,” she added. The grants aim to ensure the benefits of collective legal actions reach communities facing persistent gaps in legal support.
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Pro bono funding and other sources boosted the total grants pot to £3.9m. The foundation received £68m in applications, but only a fraction of that will be allocated. Recipients were selected based on where class action members live and where legal aid gaps are most severe. No grants have been distributed in some of these areas before.
In south-east England, grants will go to the Independent Provider of Special Education Advice and Southern England Law Centre. Other recipients include St Lukes Advice and Hastings Advice and Representation Centre. Each organization will use the funds to expand services for people facing legal challenges.
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Scotland’s recipients include Motherwell & Wishaw Citizens Advice and Legal Services Agency. In Wales, Shelter Cymru and Speakeasy Law Centre will receive support. London-based groups like Croydon Citizens Advice and Family Rights Group also made the list. The distribution spans urban and rural areas with uneven legal aid access.
The foundation prioritized regions where class action members are based. This includes areas with few or no existing grants. The focus is on ensuring resources reach communities that struggle to access legal advice. Some recipients serve populations with specific needs, like disabled children or immigration detainees.
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Clare Carter emphasized the economic impact of such grants. “Boosting access to justice protects consumers and strengthens the economy,” she said. The foundation plans to monitor how the funding affects communities over time. Future grant rounds may expand based on this initial round’s outcomes.
The grants reflect a shift in how class action settlements are handled. Instead of letting unclaimed funds sit unused, the approach redirects them to frontline legal and advice services. This model could influence future settlements, though no similar programs have been announced yet.
