Advice & Legal Organisations

Advicenow
An independent, not for profit website, run by Law for Life: The Foundation for Public Legal Education, which has lots of information on your rights and the law.
Bar Pro Bono Unit
020 7092 3960
Barristers who can give free advice and representation in any court or tribunal in England or Wales. You cannot refer yourself, but the website explains how to access the scheme.
Civil Legal Advice
0345 345 4345
Assess your eligibility for legal aid and signpost to local sources of help.
Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner
You can find an immigration adviser through the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner website. The search function also allows you to search for advisers who don’t charge a fee.
Law Centres Network
020 3637 1330 (Please note that this is not an advice line)
Law centres are staffed by legal workers, including some solicitors and barristers. They can give initial legal advice and can sometimes take on your case. They generally don’t deal with separation or family work. You can check on the website if there is a law centre near you, and what areas of law they cover.
Law Society
0207 320 5650
Visit the Law Society website to find a solicitor in your area.
The Free Representation Unit
020 7611 9555
A charity that provides legal advice. They also offer case preparation and advocacy in employment, social security and some criminal injury compensation cases.
Citizens Advice Bureau
03444 111 444 (England)
03444 77 20 20 (Wales)
Find information and advice on a wide range of issues including the court system and your legal rights as a parent.
Child Law Advice
Child Law Advice is operated by Coram Children’s Legal Centre. Specialist advice and information on child, family and education law. Applicable only in England.
Disability Law Service
020 7791 9800
Free legal advice and representation for disabled people and their families, carers and enablers on a range of issues.
Family Rights Group
0808 801 0366
Advises parents and other family members whose children are involved with or require children’s social care services. The charity provides confidential advice to those living in England and Wales.
Resolution
01689 820272
Association of solicitors specialising in family law, who adopt a collaborative approach to family problems. Resolution can provide a list of local solicitors. The website contains free information on issues such as splitting up, parenting apart and child maintenance.
Rights of Women
020 7251 6577 (Family law)
020 7251 8887 (Criminal law)
020 7608 1137 (For women in London)
020 7490 7689 (Immigration and asylum law)
Free, confidential legal advice by telephone for women on a wide variety of issues. Specialist areas include family law, lesbian parenting, separation, children/contact issues and domestic violence.
Shelter
Freephone 0808 800 4444
Gives details of local housing advice centres throughout the country and provides information and advice on a range of housing issues.
Family Law Panel
A free directory service for members of the public to access professional and independent family law information. Solicitors and/or mediators offer an initial free advice session and provide tailored support and signposting thereafter. Professionals who can offer support with Domestic Violence are listed with a purple ribbon next to their name.

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