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<p>Victims of human trafficking can apply for civil legal aid for advice and representation
in relation to immigration matters and for damages and employment claims arising from
their trafficking exploitation. Through provisions in the Modern Slavery Bill, victims
of slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour will also be eligible for civil
legal aid in the same situations.<br><br>The recent review of the National Referral
Mechanism recommended that legal aid should be available from the point of referral.
The Government has committed to piloting a range of changes to the National Referral
Mechanism in light of recommendations made by the review, which will include the provision
of legal aid at this earlier point.<br><br>'Matter starts' are the mechanism used
by the Legal Aid Agency to monitor the amount of work conducted by its legal aid providers
and do not limit legal aid availability for applicants. Where they are eligible, victims
of human trafficking will always be able to access legal aid.</p>
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