FLAC was created in April 1969, a group of law students who used their legal knowledge to provide advice and information to those who could not afford the fees involved.
It was through this work that they hoped to advance their ultimate objective: influence the government into instituting a comprehensive plan providing civil legal aid to those in need.
In 1977, the Pringle Committee published its Report calling for the provision of state-funded legal aid centres and for individuals to be educated about their rights, echoing the demands made by FLAC.
The first was the landmark ECHR case, Airey v. Ireland which challenged the prohibitive costs of a legal separation as breaching an individual's access to justice.
Supported by FLAC and represented by Mary Robinson, Josie Airey won her case against the state and assurances of an adequate scheme of legal aid were secured from the government.