Hull-based Affordable Justice is looking to scale nationwide and support more women who suffer from abuse and control within their relationships but cannot afford legal representation.
The registered charity and non-profit alternative business structure law firm launched in response to legal aid cuts and the introduction of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act.
Family law solicitor Sue Sedgwick (pictured, left) explained: “The normal cost of commercial solicitors can be prohibitive for many women, keeping them trapped in unhappy and abusive relationships.
“For women worrying about the cost of obtaining legal advice about such issues, we have stripped out the profit element of the fee structure, offering a service that is generally less than a third of typical high street rates.
“However, it was also important to maintain respect for the professional development of our staff and ensure that our salary structure still matched the expectations of comparable legal firms.”
So far, Affordable Justice has helped more than 1,100 women achieve the legal outcome they were after, saving them over £1.4 million in legal fees.
Lisa Hilder (pictured, right), who is a director at Affordable Justice, continued: “The overwhelming need for our services is driving us to scale our unique operational structure to a national level. While we are primarily based in Hull, our structure and working practices (including working from home) make us ideal for family law specialists looking to enjoy a more flexible work-life balance that fits better around family life, wherever they are based in the UK.”
Affordable Justice is particularly vocal about the inherently misogynistic structure of the family law system, which is treated as an arena for ex-partners to continue exerting control, coercion and trauma.
Over the years, the firm has witnessed surveillance, false accusations, investigations and the devastating loss of child contact. The resulting trauma has pushed some women to the brink of suicide.
But the firm is doing fantastic work for the women whose cases it takes on, with 97% winning the outcome they desired.
According to Affordable Justice, in cases of childcare arrangements, domestic abuse, and coercive and economic control, the women reported feeling heard, supported, respected and believed in a system that is notoriously dismissive and can give men the opportunity to perpetuate abusive and damaging behaviour.
Hilder added: “We are keen to hear from women family law specialists who are looking for a more family-friendly working structure to join our team.”
“We receive an unprecedented number of enquiries from all over the UK and are keen to seek representation throughout the country. Any women who are interested are welcome to contact us at admin@affordablejustice.co.uk.”
Image source: Affordable Justice
