FAQ: Transparency and Understanding Our Services

Welcome to our FAQ page, where we provide clear and transparent information about how 'The Access To Justice For Families Foundation' operates, how we are funded, and the nature of the services we offer. Our commitment to transparency is part of our dedication to serving you with integrity and trust.

1. How is The Access To Justice For Families Foundation Paid?

We are 100% independently funded through three main sources:

Client Subscriptions: We offer a subscription service for just £50.00 per month, which provides our clients with ongoing 'Legal Consultancy' and 'McKenzie Friends Advocacy Support'. This subscription model ensures that our services are accessible and affordable to those who need them most.
Online Learning School: We offer online courses that 'Litigants In Person' can purchase to enhance their legal knowledge and skills. The revenue generated from these courses helps fund our operations and supports our mission.
Online Shop: Our online shop offers print-on-demand products, and all profits from sales are reinvested into the foundation. This shop helps us remain financially independent, allowing us to focus solely on the needs of our clients.

By being fully self-funded, we can maintain our independence and ensure that our services remain aligned with our core mission of providing access to justice.

2. What Are the Benefits of Being a Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee?

As a charitable company limited by guarantee(CLG), we enjoy several benefits that enhance our ability to serve you:

Non-Profit Structure: Unlike traditional for-profit companies, our structure ensures that all profits are reinvested back into the foundation. This means that our primary goal is to serve our clients and further our charitable mission, rather than generate profit for shareholders. Our Trustee does not take a salary or any payment for personal expenses.
Accountability and Transparency: Our status as a 'Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee' (CLG) means we are subject to strict rules and procedures, which ensures we operate with transparency and integrity. This oversight provides our clients and supporters with confidence in our operations.
Limited Liability: The "Limited by Guarantee" aspect means that our members’ financial liability is limited to a nominal amount. This structure protects the foundation's assets and ensures our long-term sustainability.
Focus on Public Benefit: Our charitable status requires us to operate for the public benefit, which aligns with our mission to provide access to justice for all, particularly those who are most vulnerable who do not have access to legal aid nor can they afford the extortionate legal fees when paying for private legal representation. We bridge the gap in the void for 'Litigants In Person' falling through the gap when trying to gain access to justice.

3. Why Do We Offer Legal Consultancy and Not Legal Advice?

Legal consultancy and legal advice are distinct, and it's important to understand the difference:

Legal Consultancy: We provide guidance, information, and support to help you understand your legal situation, navigate the legal system, and make informed decisions. Our consultancy services include helping you prepare for court, assisting with document preparation, and providing McKenzie Friends support in court.
Legal Advice: This involves advising a client on what they should specifically do in a legal matter, often given by a qualified solicitor or barrister. Legal advice typically requires a regulated professional with the authority to act on behalf of the client in legal proceedings.

Why We Focus on Consultancy:

Empowerment: Our goal is to empower you to take control of your legal matters. By providing consultancy services, we equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to represent yourself effectively.
Regulatory Compliance: As an Alternative Business Structure (ABS) 'Legal Consultancy Non Profit Organisation', we operate under specific guidelines and frameworks that allow us to provide consultancy and support services without giving formal legal advice, which requires different regulatory permissions.
Accessibility: By focusing on consultancy, we can offer our services at a more affordable rate, making legal support accessible to a broader audience.

4. How Do We Ensure Transparency and Integrity in Our Services?

Transparency and integrity are at the core of everything we do. Here's how we ensure these values are upheld:

Clear Communication: We strive to communicate openly and clearly with our clients about the nature of our services, our fees, and our processes. We want you to fully understand what we offer and how we operate.
Compliance and Safeguarding: We adhere to strict safeguarding policies and regulatory requirements, including Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Know Your Customer (KYC), and Customer Due Diligence (CDD) checks. This ensures that we operate with the highest standards of integrity and that our clients' best interests are always protected.
Independent Funding: By relying solely on client subscriptions, our online school, and shop sales, we remain financially independent, allowing us to focus on providing unbiased support without external influence.

We hope this FAQ page has provided you with the transparency and clarity you need to understand how we operate. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact us. We are here to support you every step of the way.