Maximum word limit: 1,500 Overall Guidance -You should use legal authorities (especially cases and legislation) to support your answers throughout. -You are expected to keep to the word limit. – your answer does not need to be referenced using the OSCOLA system of referencing. However, you should still be referring to legal authorities and the work of academics in your answer for example. -You should write your answer in full sentences. Use language clearly and precisely to allow the examiner to easily understand your legal analysis. Submission -If you are typing your answer, include a word count in your answer. -If you are typing your answer, use size 11 Arial or Times New Roman font Instructions You work as a volunteer at the Access to Justice Foundation which is a charity that aims to help provide practical access to justice for those unable to afford help (http://www.atjf.org.uk/). Your manager Mrs Black has asked you to conduct research into whether there is true access to justice in the English Legal System. She is taking part in a local debate on the recent cuts in legal aid and has asked you to present her with an ‘executive summary’ of your findings in no more than 1,500 words. Mrs Black has told you the executive summary should include the following information: 1. An explanation of what access to justice is and why it matters. 2. A discussion about whether in recent years, access to justice has been greatly compromised by the legal aid cuts. 3. Evidence from a variety of sources to support your points. In the past Mrs Black has provided you with guidance on what academic articles to include but is now confident in your ability to use legal databases to find relevant information yourself. 4. A clear, justified conclusion on whether there is true access to justice in the English Legal System. A strong executive summary will therefore follow the principles of writing a strong essay, with a: -clear introduction- that summarises the argument that will be made; -main body- that convinces the reader that your argument is the most persuasive one and that others arguments are less persuasive by analysing the law with reference to relevant legal principles (statutes and/or cases) and the work of others; and -conclusion- which summarises the main points made.