Free legal aid and advice from solicitors

There are several national charity organisations that provide eligible individuals with free legal advice on a range of issues. A focus of many of the centres is on homeless prevention, and this will include such activities as mediating a solution with a landlord or they offer guidance to people in apply for housing benefits. The charity groups all want to defend the legal rights of tenants, individuals, and the less fortunate.

Many lawyers and their staff are a great place to learn about other services as well. In addition to offering help with an eviction notice, they may have details on resources such as schemes to pay rent arrears, how to seek a guarantee for a security deposit, and other housing matters.

The legal aid available in the UK is extensive. There is also often assistance for matters such as debt, housing, or rental arrears that may be due to a landlord. The scope of services ranges from mediation to representation, and of course there is free or low cost advice offered.

Some of the most common types of cases handled include those families or individuals who are in the processing of losing their home, whether from eviction or unpaid debts. They also help mediate issues with both landlords and family members. Other support is for education or access to benefits in the UK.

If you seek a lawyer and are found to be eligible, the person may receive help in many capacities. The solicitor or their staff can support the client on completing any paperwork needed for their issue. There may also be representation at court in some cases, even including for an eviction. However, a goal of any law centre will almost always be to mediate some type of solution or common ground to avoid a court case to begin with.

Many of the main organisations to try for free information or advice are below. Many operate across the entire UK and have centres in multiple towns and cities. If an organization is not near you, then a centre will often have referrals to a nearby solicitor.

Charity law organisations for housing and civil matters

Law Centres Network has a few dozen offices around the UK. They defend the rights of the vulnerable and low income. Most of the knowledge they have is focused on local communities, so they are expert on social welfare laws and housing resources in the area. The lawyers can protect families from evictions, help with home mortgage issues, and address other matters.

Some of the specifics of what may be provided includes free representation or casework. They are also a provider of free advice from the Welfare Benefits Upper Tribunal Service for regions including London, Midlands, and the South East England. This service can cover medical, housing benefits, and answer questions on schemes for the low income.

The not-for-profit Law Centres that are part of the network also advocate in their local communities to ensure there is a large amount of affordable accommodations for those that are struggling.

CLA – Civil Legal Advice is for low income and vulnerable families. Clients in either Wales or England can also call upon this charity for sometimes free aid. They can help with discrimination issues, housing, benefit appeals, debt or rent arrears, and other landlord eviction type issues.

Not only does CLA provides different types of aid, but there is also translation for those in which English is not their first language or a Sign Language interpreter if needed. They also partner and follow up with clients to ensure they received the best advice possible. Call 0345 345 4 345 to make an enquiry.

Find a barrister that offers free aid from Bar Pro Bono Unit. The charity partners with low income and disadvantaged individuals to help them locate a low cost, or maybe even free service. To learn more, a referral is needed, and an applicant needs to contact their local Citizen Advice Bureau or a MP.

So call your local bureau for information and referrals. There are a number of solicitors across the UK, including in Wales, that offer free mediation tenants/landlords, representation, and focus on stopping evictions. In general, note that pro bono, or free, assistance is only available to people who cannot afford to pay the bill by any other means.

Working directly with law firms, the Legal Action Group is another charity. The organization is focused on offering support and access the disadvantaged, people facing an economic hardship, and the homeless, among others. Note this is not a client facing agency but work with not-for profit firms. Post is 3rd Floor, Universal House, 88-94 Wentworth Street, London, E1 7SA.

Legal help by city and region

There are many organisations to turn to for free advice. Volunteers or law students from local centres help families on a low income with their addressing their problems, and some offices have dedicated solicitors on staff as well. Many people need legal assistance in dealing with debts or access to homeless prevention, or they have have questions on their housing benefits or other financial challenges. Those issues are addressed, as well as many others. Find a city below.

Birmingham

Manchester

Or people can also call one of the centres above that provide coverage to the entire UK. Referrals can be provide to lawyers in your local city or even district.