Group details how money will be distributed
Millions of pounds in unclaimed consumer compensation is set to help people across Scotland access legal advice and support.
In September 2025, the Access to Justice Foundation (ATJF) received around £3.8 million in undistributed damages from the Gutmann v South Western Trains case in the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT).
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, the ATJF is the only organisation in the UK eligible to receive these funds from collective action cases.
The funding will now enable the foundation launch its first dedicated grant programme, turning unclaimed consumer compensation into practical support for Scottish communities and individuals facing barriers to justice.
The foundation’s new grant-making strategy focuses on three key priorities:
1. Providing access to advice: supporting free legal services at local and national levels, ensuring that people in both urban centres and rural areas can access trusted help when they need it.
2. Addressing root causes: funding research and policy initiatives to tackle the underlying issues driving demand for legal advice, helping to prevent problems before they arise.
3. Raising awareness: working with partner organisations to help people understand their legal rights, particularly around consumer redress, and encouraging people to take informed action.
Its approach ensures that funding is directed where it can have the greatest practical impact, balancing immediate support with building the long-term capacity of advice services. By doing so, it transforms unclaimed consumer compensation into meaningful support for people who might otherwise fall through the cracks.
Over the past year, ATJF has developed this strategy in consultation with leading Scottish and UK organisations, including Advice UK, Age Scotland, Citizens Advice Scotland, Consumer Voice, the Law Centres Network, and Which?
The first open grants round, funded by unclaimed damages from the South Western Trains case, is set to launch in early 2026. The foundation will also implement robust monitoring and evaluation to ensure every grant delivers lasting impact for communities across Scotland.
