Setting up a Law Centre

The LCF works closely with local Law Centre steering groups to help prepare their application to the LCF for full membership.

Information about establishing a new Law Centre is available for download: Setting_up_a_Law_Centre_08.pdf. It is for guidance only as the pace of change in the provision of legal services has increased in recent years.  It is important to keep an eye on all the changes that taking place in England and Wales, including the development of Community Legal Advice Centres and Community Legal Advice Networks. Download Community_Legal_Advice_Centres.doc for more information

The LCF works closely with local Law Centre steering groups to help prepare their application to the LCF for full membership.  All Law Centres have to comply with the LCF’s Rules for Membership which include Minimum Criteria for membership. The Rules of Membership state that Law Centres will pay an annual subscription to the LCF of 0.6% of their total revenue income.  The subscription rate is voted on each year at the LCF Annual General Meeting. Download Rules_of_LCF_Membership.doc and Minimum_Criteria_for_LCF_Membership.doc for details.

Once a local steering group has adopted a constitution and has secured sufficient funding, it can apply to an LCF General Meeting for full membership status.  Applications must be made on the appropriate form, which can be obtained from the LCF and be accompanied by supporting documents, such as equal opportunities policies and the constitution. Representatives of the group must attend the General Meeting to answer any questions that Law Centre delegates ask about the application. 

Please note that only full members of the Law Centres Federation can be described as a ‘Law Centre’ as the title is now a registered trademark