The government plans to cut NOK 20 million from the national budget for legal aid, despite previously committing to strengthen it. The Legal Aid Alliance, which handles over 30,000 cases annually and largely relies on volunteers, warns that the need for legal assistance is already far greater than current funding allows. In 2024, organisations requested NOK 134 million but received only about 60%; under the new proposal, funding would drop to 46%.
The alliance argued that the cut will sharply reduce services from January 2026, leaving many vulnerable people without access to help, among them asylum seekers. They stress that legal aid is essential to ensure individuals are aware of their rights and maintain trust in the rule of law.
The Legal Aid Alliance call on politicians across parties to oppose the government’s proposal and instead increase legal aid funding, noting that early legal assistance can save public resources and strengthen confidence in Norway’s justice system.