The Ministry of Justice’s decision not to distribute physical copies of a leaflet promoting new legal aid support for tenants at risk of losing their home could undermine the scheme's purpose, the Law Society has warned.

Earlier this month, shadow attorney general Emily Thornberry MP asked the justice secretary how many physical copies of the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service (HLPAS) leaflet had been distributed, where and at what cost. HLPAS, which offers early legal advice on social welfare law matters before court as well as on-the-day advice and representation in court, was introduced in August.

Justice minister Mike Freer replied that no physical copies had been distributed. Instead, leaflets had been distributed digitally to government departments, local authorities, charities and advice agencies. Notices and letters concerning possession proceedings, which are distributed physically, reference HLPAS and signpost towards support.

The ministry continued to monitor update of HLPAS ‘and may consider interventions such as physical distribution if appropriate’, Freer said.

The Law Society warned that the ministry’s decision not to distribute hard copies of the leaflet could disadvantage people without access to digital networks.

A Society spokesperson said: ‘Without physical copies of the leaflet, the MoJ will limit the number of people it can reach. It risks overlooking those who need the scheme the most, and reducing the take-up of the service. This decision will further erode the effectiveness of the scheme and fail to support access to early advice,’ the spokesperson said.

‘Maintaining a paper route is essential to ensure that vulnerable people can access the scheme. The MoJ should reconsider its decision to only distribute the HLPAS leaflet digitally, and invest in physical copies that can reach those who may need the scheme the most.’

An MoJ spokesperson said: ‘All individuals facing possession proceedings receive physical leaflets signposting to the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service and digital copies were provided to local authorities, charities and advice agencies on 30 August for them to print and distribute.’

The department said individuals facing possession proceedings receive physical leaflets from HMCTS which signpost to HLPAS with their possession claim. The leaflet encourages the individual to contact a HLPAS provider to receive early legal advice at the earliest opportunity. Supporting physical documentation from the local court also signposts to the nearest provider.

The ‘How to Rent Guide’, distributed physically to all tenants by landlords and estate agents also signposts to HLPAS, the department added.