Legal Advice and Funding :: Papers

Legal Advice and Funding Michelle wants to claim compensation for the injuries she has suffered in an accident. Identify and briefly describe where she could obtain advice about a possible claim. There are many places that offer advice regarding British law but few people know how to access these services. If Michelle looks in the right places she can obtain this legal advice for free. There are places that are funded by charities and there's also places like the Citizens Advice Bureau which is primarily funded by the government. If you were setting out to obtain legal advice, places like these is where you should start, they aim to provide access to justice to everyone who needs it. The CAB has over 2000 bureaux throughout the country. Volunteers that aren't actually legally qualified provide 'free, independent and confidential advice' on a variety of issues. They have arrangements with solicitors who will give a free initial interview. Five million people use this service every year. Another place for free advice is a law centre. There are only 51 law centres in the country (as of April 2003) and they are normally situated in socially deprived areas. Law centres provide free and independent, professional, legal advice as it is required in the area. They are staffed by solicitors, barristers, legal advisors and community workers who are paid and the funding for these salaries comes from local authorities and the Community Legal Service Fund. Some law centres will be better than others a factor that affects this is the demand for legal advice in the area. If Michelle went to a Law Centre she could expect to receive advice on issues like welfare rights, immigration, housing, employment, discrimination, mental health, juvenile crime, disability and children's rights. Another place which is probably overlooked quite a lot is organisations like the AA and R.A.C. However organisations like this will probably only help you with issues which relate to the organisations area of business. Also you must be a paying member to