A Law Centre - What we do

Law Centres provide their local communities with a comprehensive legal service that puts the legal and human rights of individuals first. Law Centres help to overcome the obstacles faced by people who need access to the legal system.

Each Law Centre has been awarded the Legal Services Commission Specialist Level Quality Mark.  They employ solicitors, barristers, legal advisers and community workers. In addition to dealing with individual cases (including test cases, judicial reviews and representation), they also :

  • Take on cases that clarify and extend rights for the public.
  • Provide legal education, training and information about the law and peoples’ rights.
  • Propose improvements in the law as it affects their clients.
  • Work with local providers of public services, such as local authorities to meet community needs.
  • Provide legal advice and services for voluntary and community sector organisations.

Specialists in Social Welfare Law

Law Centres specialise in social welfare law which includes: welfare rights; disability rights; immigration and asylum; housing and homelessness; employment rights; community care; and all forms of discrimination. Other areas of work vary according to local need and may include public law, mental health, education rights and young people and children’s rights.

Law Centre workers conduct legal education work and have contributed for example, to the many leaflets published by Advicenow. 

Funding

Law Centres are funded by a variety of sources. They hold contracts with the Legal Services Commission to provide casework services and receive grant aid from local councils. As charities they also receive funds from independent trusts and charity givers. 

Community Empowerment

Law Centres are a valuable community resource that empowers and supports local people. 

Managed democratically by individuals from their local area, Law Centres compliment the services of other community groups, advice agencies and solicitors in the area to ensure that there is no duplication of work.  They regenerate local areas by ensuring that public services reach those most in need.  See Law Centres and Social Exclusion for more information.Law Centres and Social Exclusion.doc

In 2005, the LCF drafted a paper on how legal and advice services can help to meet local government objectives. See Law Centres in the Community to view.Working with Local Government.pdf and Local Government and Access to Justice.pdf