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More and more of us are unable to get the justice we need because we cannot afford it.

People who live in bad housing that their landlord won’t repair, and families who get into debt, are being left with nowhere to turn.

Parents are losing contact with their children, unfair benefits decisions are going unchallenged, and huge numbers of people now have to represent themselves in the courts because they can’t afford a lawyer.

This is happening because of huge cuts to legal aid, the system designed to help people with modest incomes access legal help when they need it. In fact, the number of civil legal aid cases started has fallen by a staggering 84% since 2010.

The need for legal help remains as high as ever, but the government now refuses to provide early help on things like debt, benefits and housing.

The Bach Commission, which I chair, has been examining the current state of the justice system for nearly two years.

We’ve heard evidence from over a hundred legal experts, and concluded that our justice system is at crisis point.

We rightly pride ourselves on the rights we have in this country, but what use are they if none of us can enforce them?

Our final report calls on the government to introduce a new Right to Justice Act.

This will restate and strengthen our existing rights to justice, but it will also create a new right for all of us to be able to receive reasonable legal assistance without facing unaffordable costs.

The report also proposes immediate actions for the government.

We want fairer rules guiding who is eligible for legal aid, so that people aren’t expected to pay more than they can afford.

We want to broaden the scope of legal aid so that early help is available in key areas, and we want all cases involving children to be eligible for legal assistance.

We also want to see much more done to improve levels of public understanding about the law, including better lessons in schools and more free local advice.

An effective legal system which all of us can fairly access is fundamental to life in Britain, just like the right to vote.

A new Right to Justice Act will mean everyone can get help when they need it and make us all believe that the law is on our side.

* Lord Willy Bach is Chair of the Bach Commission, whose final report has been published by the Fabian Society today.