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. Visit Legal Services Commission News 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.doc which include Minimum Criteria.doc..

The Rules of Membership state that Law Centres will pay an annual subscription to the LCF. The amount of the subscription depends upon a Law Centre’s income.  Law Centres who have a total income of up to £150,000 pay £800 a year, Law Centres with an income of between £150,001 and £450,000 pay £1,600 a year and those with a total income above £450,000 pay £3,000 a year.  The subscription rates are voted on each year at the LCF Annual General Meeting.

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 a 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.