Alternative Careers: Law Centres
What is a law centre? There are over 60 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 and the Legal Services Commision, and many from charities such as The Big Lottery. 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. Citizens Advice provides a service similar to law centres at around 3,200 locations throughout the United Kingdom. Information and advice is delivered in person, and by telephone and email, to millions of people every year. Advisers can help fill out forms, write letters, negotiate on behalf of clients and represent them at courts or tribunals in matters ranging from debt and benefits to housing, employment and immigration. Most bureaux offer legal advice and employ their own lawyers. For more information, visit the Citizens Advice website. What is the role of the lawyer in a law centre? 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. The centres specialise in social welfare law which includes: welfare rights; disability rights; immigration and asylum; housing and homelessness; employment rights; community care; and all forms of discrimination. Other areas of work vary according to local need and may include public law, mental health, education rights and young people and children’s rights. Since 2002 the Legal Services Commission has provided grants to support the training of trainee solicitors, and some law centres have been successful in being awarded grants under this scheme. In 2008 16 law centres were successful. Vacancies are advertised on the Law Centres Federation website. How to apply Jobs are advertised in the local and national press, and in specialist publications such as the Legal Action Group Bulletin or the Law Gazette. Earnings Salaries differ from centre to centre, but generally speaking they are in line with local authority salary pay scales. Useful addresses Law Centres Federation CItizens Advice Bureau |
