This is the first programme in the UK that redistributes unclaimed class action funds and is based on a grant-making strategy designed to ensure that unclaimed money still reaches those in need.

The grants from the Improving Lives Through Advice 2026 programme will primarily be made using £3.7 million in unclaimed settlement funds from the Gutmann v SW Trains case.

The Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) decided to award these funds to the ATJF last year, commenting in its ruling that the money “could make a huge difference in facilitating access to justice for the needy and vulnerable”.

Applications for grants will open at 12pm on 16 February and close at 12pm on 16 March 2026, with grants due to commence in June 2026.

CEO of Access to Justice Foundation, Clare Carter, said: “Across Scotland, people’s capacity to exercise their legal rights is severely compromised by lack of access to legal help. As Scotland’s communities face mounting financial pressures, unmanageable debt, and psychological distress, long-term funding of advice services is crucial.

“This programme allows us to channel funds into frontline advice organisations, helping communities get the support they need. And the need has never been greater.”

The programme has been designed to provide longer-term, unrestricted funding in recognition of the financial pressures facing advice organisations and the importance of stability in sustaining frontline services.

Access to justice in Scotland is increasingly out of reach, with 122 Scottish communities currently lacking direct access to a legal aid firm. Although legal assistance spending in Scotland reached £169 million in 2024–25, the number of solicitors providing civil legal aid fell from 1,041 to 984 over the same period.

In September 2025, the Holyrood’s Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee published a report which called on the Scottish government to “take urgent action” to improve the delivery of the civil legal assistance and in turn improve access to justice.