Free legal helpline set up for riot victims
updated on 18 August 2011
The Law Society - working in collaboration with law firms and charity LawWorks - has established a telephone helpline to provide free legal assistance to riot victims. A full-time case worker will operate out of the National Pro Bono Centre managing calls, taking case details, making referrals where necessary and placing cases using the existing systems of current pro bono agencies.
The helpline is being funded by the Law Society, the Bar Council and law firms including Allen & Overy, Addleshaw Goddard, Berwin Leighton Paisner, Clifford Chance, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Herbert Smith, Hogan Lovells, Norton Rose, Simmons & Simmons, and Slaughter and May.
Law Society President John Wotton said: "This helpline demonstrates the legal profession's shared commitment to justice and social responsibility. Over the coming months, the victims will need legal advice on insurance, contract law and a host of other issues. It is vitally important that people who need practical help to get their businesses or personal lives back on track in these very difficult circumstances should have a quick route to specialist advice. I have been hugely impressed by the response of solicitors so far who are demonstrating yet again their commitment to a just and stable society and urge others to join the movement."
