Funding and Structure

Staffing, funding and decision-making

Staffing

The LCF has a relatively small central office, with a Director and fifteen members of staff. There are two departments covering Support and Development, and Policy, Campaigns and Communications.  Staffing includes LCF project workers for the following initiatives: Improving Access and Improving Awareness, Equality and Diversity Project, Working Together for Advice, Governance Project and our Young Peoples’ Rights Project.

Funding

The Law Centres Federation is funded by the Legal Services Commission, London Councils, Big Lottery Fund, the European Union, Equality and Human Rights Commission and the Baring Foundation.  It receives funding for several projects:

  • Improving Access and Improving Awareness funded by the Legal Services Commission
  • Equality and Diversity Project is funded by the Big Lottery Fund and through EU Progress funding
  • Young Peoples’ Project was funded by the City Bridge Trust, This funding has been now been replaced by funding from the John Ellerman Foundation, the London Legal Support Trust, the Access to Justice Foundation and Allen & Overy.
  • Working Together for Advice Project funded by the Big Lottery Fund
  • Governance Project was funded by the Big Lottery Fund
  • Strengthening and reasserting the Law Centre service delivery model funded by the Baring Foundation.

The LCF also receives income from annual subscriptions paid by member Law Centres.

LCF’s total income for 2009/10 was £1,243,562

Decision-Making

The LCF’s Articles of the Association state that the LCF must hold a Annual General Meeting and may also hold additional General Meetings when required.  General Meetings are held for Law Centres to agree major policy issues.  This includes the approval of LCF’s Membership Agreement and Minimum Criteria.  Each Law Centes signs a Membership Agreement which you can view here: LCF Membership Agreement.doc. The minimum Criteria for Membership referred to in the Agreement are here: LCF Minimum crtieria for full membership.doc.  Applications for Full, Affliiate and Associate Membership are also agreed upon at General Meetings.

At Annual General Meetings, a new Executive Committee of the LCF is elected.  The Executive Committee represents the interests of all Law Centres and is made up (almost) equally of Law Centre staff and management committee members.  There are 15 in all including Officers.  The LCF’s current Trustees are listed here: LCF_Executive_Committee_2010-2011.pdf

The Executive Committee meets bi-monthly and has several Sub Committees.

For details read our Articles of Association 2010.pdf