The Access to Justice Foundation (ATJF), a leading legal aid charity, has announced a major rebrand alongside the launch of a new grant-making strategy. The initiative comes after the Competition Appeal Tribunal awarded the charity £3.8 million in unclaimed settlement damages from the Gutmann v SW Trains case. The ATJF, which supports the delivery of free legal advice and pro bono services, plans to use this funding to expand access to justice across the UK.
This marks the ATJF’s first rebrand in its 17-year history. The revamp features a new logo and website, which the foundation says are designed to better showcase its impact, make information more accessible, and reflect its evolved identity. The charity described the rebrand as a significant milestone representing its continued growth and renewed commitment to ensuring everyone can access legal help when needed.
As part of its new strategy, the ATJF has worked with partner organisations including Advice UK, Age UK, and Citizens Advice to shape a more focused grant-making approach. It will use unclaimed funds from collective actions to strengthen access to free legal advice for individuals, prioritising long-term sustainability in the sector. Under the UK’s collective action regime, cases like Gutmann v SW Trains enable a representative to claim compensation on behalf of large groups, with unclaimed funds redirected to initiatives such as those managed by ATJF.
The foundation’s strategy will also target systemic issues driving demand for legal advice. By funding projects that tackle root causes and improve public understanding of rights and responsibilities, ATJF aims to reduce overall need. It plans to collaborate closely with community organisations and frontline advice providers to ensure grants are directed where they can have the greatest impact.
According to the charity, grant-making decisions will depend on the scale of available funds and will balance immediate community needs with long-term capacity building. The £3.8 million from Gutmann v SW Trains will form the basis of ATJF’s first collective actions-funded grants programme, expected to launch early next year.
