Marjorie Mayo is Emeritus Professor of Community Development, Goldsmiths, University of London. Her research has included learning for active citizenship, and access to justice in disadvantaged communities.Gerald Koessl has recently completed his PhD in Sociology at Goldsmiths, University of London, where he has also worked as a researcher. Matthew Scott is a lecturer in Community Development and Social Policy at London Metropolitan University and Goldsmiths, University of London. His experience includes being a director of the Community Sector Coalition.Imogen Slater is a consultant and researcher at the Centre for Urban and Community Research, Goldsmiths, University of London.

• Introduction: Accessing social justice in disadvantaged communities;Social justice and the welfare state;Concepts of justice and access to justice;Ethos and values;Challenges and dilemmas; Public service modernisation, restructuring and recommodification;Conflict and competition versus collaboration and planning;Public service modernisation and time;Alienation and demoralisation - or continuing labours of love?;Access to social justice for disadvantaged communities: value and values

"...A valuable and readable account of the complex issues facing Law Centres in a political climate that is increasingly hostile to the provision of good quality legal aid services to those most in need. It is particularly useful for the way in which it brings together in one place a number of different accounts of Law Centres and their role in providing access to justice, both historical and contemporary." Journal of Social Policy "This book should be read by anyone with an interest in public policy, law, sociology and access to justice." LSE Review of Books blog "The question of access to justice was a fundamental keystone in the creation of the welfare state. This exhaustive review of the history of legal aid and advice, and of the Coalition government's determination to destroy it, reminds us of how much other struggles to defend welfare depend on it. It is a must-read and not just for those concerned narrowly with the law." Gary Craig, Professor of Social Justice, Durham University "An important read for all of those concerned about the role of the state in creating a more equal and just society for all." John Gaventa, Director, Coady International Institute, STFX University, Canada