What is a law centre?
There are 55 law centres, predominantly based in inner city areas. The most basic objective of the law centres is to provide access to lawyers and experienced legal advisers who have the expertise and skills needed to advise and represent clients on areas of law that mostly affect poorer sections of society. The term most frequently used to describe these areas of law is 'social welfare law'. Law centres offer direct services to the public as well as taking more complex cases that have been referred to them by local agencies or law firms. They also work with and support local community groups on legal issues, and have become innovative in providing cutting-edge services such as telephone advice schemes which have been taken up by other branches of the profession. Most law centres receive grants from local authorities. Nine receive some funding from the Legal Aid Board and may earn additional funds from the Legal Aid Fund. Present cost is approximately £8.5m. As with the Citizens Advice Bureaux, cuts to local government funding have led to some financial insecurity. Despite this, support for law centres has remained strong and the network continues to grow (the first was established in North Kensington in 1970). Most staff at law centres give their time voluntarily. This can be interesting and rewarding work, particularly for those lawyers who otherwise spend their days far removed from the pressures, which the poorer sections of society face.

What is the role of the lawyer in a law centre?
Law centres have traditionally taken on work that has not been covered by the legal aid scheme. In particular they have represented clients at a range of tribunals where legal aid is not available. Specialist areas of work include: housing, homelessness, security of tenure and harassment, employment including contracts, discrimination, dismissal and redundancy, welfare rights and money advice, immigration and nationality, children's rights, community care, education, mental health and disability rights. Law centres exist to address the needs and interests of their local communities, and in this sense they are a quite unique part of the legal profession, which all too often puts its own interests above those of its clients.

Training at a law centre
Occasionally a training contract can be obtained at a law centre, although this is very rare, particularly with the present squeeze in funding. However, Brent Community Law Centre has created a scheme to train lawyers and has had some success. It is perhaps worth remembering that law centres are particularly concerned to address the present racial imbalance in the legal profession. Indeed, in the past, the Law Centres Federation (LCF) has gained funding to commence a Black Articled Clerk Scheme. Funding for this has currently dried up, although some individual law centres have been able to carry on training individuals.

Remuneration
There are very few paid positions in law centres. Time is usually given freely by those who wish to help out - you should contact your local law centre for more information if you are interested.

Useful addresses
Law Centres Federation
Duchess House
18 Warren Street
London W1P 5DB
Telephone: 020 7387 8570