A Ministry of Justice consultation response is a little like a Donald Trump tweet - both seem impervious to reason even when nearly everyone screams 'Noooooo!'.

But with a new lord chancellor at the helm, could the days when you just want to scream into a void because the ministry just won't listen finally be over? Sadly not, as yesterday's long-awaited government consultation response to proposed changes to the housing possession court duty scheme (HPCDS) showed.

The scheme, for those who don't know, provides on-the-day face-to-face advice and advocacy at court to anyone facing possession proceedings. Those in danger of getting evicted or having their home repossessed can receive free legal advice and representation on the day of their hearing, regardless of their financial circumstances.

It's a sad day when you find yourself reading that 48 out of 59 consultation respondents disagree with the proposal to consolidate the number of HPCDS schemes but you just immediately know the ministry is going to side with the seven who agreed.

What's that? 51 out of 59 organisations don't think the ministry should run a price-competitive tender? No surprise, sadly, to see that the ministry went with the five organisations who agreed with its proposal.

What's the point of responding to a consultation, you've probably been thinking for a while? Consultations feel nothing more than a procedural tick-box exercise. But no matter how much it feels like you're banging your head against a brick wall when you try to engage with the government, I urge you not to stop. There are many vulnerable people depending on you to help them ensure they receive access to justice. 

There was a lot of head-banging over employment tribunal fees. Look what happened there.

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