Surrey Law Centre’s New Low-cost Advice For People In Need

Published on: 21 Dec, 2013
Updated on: 23 Dec, 2013

A solicitor-based, non profit-making legal practice is offering very low-cost legal advice for people that no longer qualify for legal aid, but find it difficult to pay standard fees charged by lawyers.

Changes made by the government earlier this year saw legal aid being significantly reduced in a number of areas of law.

The Surrey Law Centre, with an office in Chertsey Street, Guildford, specialises in community legal advice. It is now offering low-cost, fixed fee legal advice for anyone with a gross household income that does not exceed £40,000 per year.

The Surrey Law Centre is offering low-cost legal advice for people who no longer qualify for legal aid. Pictured from left: volunteer Karen Cruickshank, solicitor Katy Peters who specialises in community and health care law, and family law solicitor Rashid Akhtar.

Fixed fee 30-minute appointments with a letter of advice given costs £60 plus VAT. A fixed fee petitioner divorce is offered at £350 plus VAT (plus court fees).

The director of the Surrey Law Centre, Laura Melbourne, said: “Following the change in the law in April regarding legal aid, we sought permission from both the Solicitors’ Regulation Authority and the Law Centres’ Network to provide a very low cost, privately paid service due to the number of requests we were receiving from people we were unable to assist.

“We see this as an extension of our mission and charitable purpose and we are dedicated to supporting people in Surrey and neighbouring counties facing poverty, discrimination, social exclusion and disadvantage.”

Laura adds that under this new service, Surrey Law Centre is offering legal advice and assistance from solicitors who are specialists in their field in the following areas:

Family law – divorce, dissolution of civil partnership, separation, financial matters, disputes over children, domestic abuse, care proceedings, social services involvement.

Immigration law – family member applications, point-based system applications, asylum and appeals, UKBA appeals, student visa applications.

Housing law – homelessness, security of tenure, suitability of accommodation, tenancy deposit scheme, rents and other charges, harassment by landlord, possession actions rent / mortgage, antisocial behaviour, illegal eviction, disrepair, applications for housing.

Community care law – community care assessments, packages and funding, safeguarding, powers of attorney, learning disabilities, provision of services by the relevant authority, care homes, paying for care, carers, disabled children, children in need, mental capacity.

Employment law – anti-discrimination / equality, dismissal and dispute procedures, grievance procedures and unfair dismissal, redundancy and transfer of undertakings.

Surrey Law Centre also states that upon receipt of a referral, if legal aid is available, it can assist the client to apply for funding from the Legal Aid Agency. If legal aid is unavailable, or if the client is ineligible for legal aid, it can discuss appropriate referrals and / or provide a fixed fee quotation at its very low hourly rates (according to means) to ensure that the referral receives the necessary assistance.

For more details call Surrey Law Centre on 01483 215000 or send an email to lauramelbourne@surreylawcentre.org

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