Asked by: Perran Moon (Labour - Camborne and Redruth)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what support is available to homeowners who cannot afford legal representation in disputes with housing (a) developers and (b) associations over structural defects.
Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
There are a range of options to support homeowners who cannot afford legal representation in disputes with housing developers and associations over structural defects. Advice organisations, such as Citizens Advice and Shelter, may be able to provide advice or signpost to further support, and leaseholders may be able to get support from organisations that specialise in leasehold issues, such as the Leasehold Advisory Service. Alternatively, ombudsman services may be able to provide support with resolving a dispute.
There are also a variety of ways to fund or support some types of legal action, which may include disputes. These include insurance policies, and homeowners should check whether their insurance policy includes Legal Expenses Insurance, which may provide coverage for certain legal expenses and costs. Homeowners may also be able to fund a legal case through a ‘no-win, no-fee' conditional fee agreement. This is a means of funding litigation, usually entered into by claimants, where the lawyer agrees not to take a fee if the claim fails.
Asked by: Perran Moon (Labour - Camborne and Redruth)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps is her Department taking to tackle misogyny in (a) the bankruptcy and (b) judicial system.
Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
The Ministry of Justice is committed to ensuring that the justice system is fair, impartial and free from discrimination. Fair treatment and equality before the law are fundamental principles of our justice system and central to the judicial role. The Lady Chief Justice holds statutory responsibility for the training and guidance of court judges in England and Wales, including oversight of the Guide to Judicial Conduct. This Guide reflects the core values of judicial conduct: independence, impartiality, integrity, propriety, equality of treatment, and competence and diligence. We are supportive of the ongoing efforts of the senior judiciary to uphold and embed these values across the judiciary.
In relation to bankruptcy specifically, the process is overseen by the Insolvency Service, an executive agency of the Department for Business and Trade.