The following organisations offer legal advice and are there to support those that need help:
Community Links – a hub tackling health and social inequality in East London and beyond. They work alongside the community, helping people of all ages reach their full potential. They take their local knowledge of what works to influence national decision making. They are proud to be part of Catch22. Community Links can help by offering free legal advice.
For advice, enquiries or support please contact them at advice@community-links.org, or call 0207 473 9681, or visit 105 Barking Road, London, E16 4HQ, for an appointment.
They can help with any of the following:
- Completing Benefit and Housing Registration Forms, be they online or on paper
- Expert Housing Advice from solicitors, in the areas of disrepair and tenancy deposit and estate agent disputes
- Accredited Debt Advice provided by qualified experts, including Assistance to Pay your Rent if you are a London Borough of Newham or ARHAG Housing Association tenant
- Consumer and Employment Legal Advice given by pro bono lawyers
For non-advice related queries, contact their switchboard on 020 7473 2270.
Visit their website here for further information.
UCL Integrated Legal Advice Clinic (iLAC) – based in central Stratford, offers local residents free face-to-face general legal advice on all aspects of social welfare law including welfare benefits, community care and housing.
Staffed by UCL law students working under the close supervision of qualified lawyers and advisers, the Clinic offers students a rich educational opportunity while also providing a valuable and much-needed service to members of the local community.
The following services are available:
- Welfare & Benefits Advice & Representation
- Housing law advice and representation
- Community Care law advice and representation
The central mission of the Centre is to promote access to justice through research-led teaching and activities. This is achieved through five core objectives:
- To provide holistic and high quality legal advice and representation to members of the local community who would otherwise be unable to afford it
- To shape and develop policy agendas underpinned by robust and rigorous research
- To engender an awareness of social justice issues in our students and foster a commitment to public interest work
- To implement innovative teaching and learning methods
- To develop our students’ ethical and professional awareness
Our objectives are achieved through projects and activities which focus on:
- Provision of Free Legal Advice and Representation
- Social Justice Education & Practice
- Student Engagement & Pro Bono Opportunities
- Rigorous research
- Partnerships with External Organisations
- Widening Participation
- Community Engagement & Outreach
Our ability to take on cases is subject to our capacity, which fluctuates.
For more information click here, or call 02031088499
The Mary Ward Legal Centre provides free, independent advice to people who live and work in London to help them access their legal rights and entitlements.
Housing Advice
We provide advice and representation on a range of housing issues including:
- Homelessness reviews of negative decisions, appealing decisions in the county court and judicial review applications in the High Court
- Defending possession proceedings and warrants for eviction private and public sector tenants, particularly where there are complex issues of fact or law giving rise to a defence
- Disrepair
We do not advise or act for landlords.
If your housing case is funded under our Legal Aid contract you will be required to show that your income and capital are within the current financial limits set by the Legal Aid Agency. This is necessary for the Legal Centre to be paid for the work done on your behalf.
You will need to provide evidence of you and your partner’s income and capital and bring this to your first appointment. Before your appointment, please check what proof of income you will be required to bring. You will be asked to sign a Legal Help form which confirms to the Legal Aid Agency your personal details and finances, and that you are giving accurate information.
If you have signed a form for free legal help for the same advice matter at another organisation or solicitors firm you must mention this to the Legal Centre staff.
PLEASE NOTE: we do not advise landlords or home-owners. We can only assist people who are homeless or who live in rented or insecure accommodation. We can only take on certain types of cases due to specific funding and eligibility criteria, for example we may be able to offer advice if you qualify for legal aid or if you live in the borough of Newham.
For more information click here or call 020 7831 7079
