Access to justice

‘Since Freshfields joined us in 2006 we have been able to dramatically increase the number of clients that we can assist at the Morden Legal Advice Centre. Up until then, although we had a successful legal advice session at Morden, we were unable to meet the demand for free legal advice in the evenings as the demand way outstripped supply. The lawyers are professional and approachable and they have helped our clients with a wide variety of legal problems. Without their help some of our clients would have no other options than to go without advice, as most could not afford to pay for the advice of a private practice lawyer and other local advice agencies are too busy to get appointments in time to help them.’
Debbie Phelan, volunteer services manager, Wandsworth and Merton Law Centre, part of South West London Law Centre

In London, our access to justice programme includes volunteering in legal advice centres and advocacy initiatives with the Free Representation Unit, Royal Courts of Justice and Independent Panel for Special Education Advice.

Legal advice centres

Trainees and paralegals have been providing advice at the drop-in centre at Tower Hamlets since 1973. Our senior partner Guy Morton volunteered at the centre when it was in Poplar in his early years at the firm.

Our lawyers have been giving advice at the Dellow Centre for homeless people for six years, as part of our partnership with the charity Providence Row.

Our lawyers also support a clinic in Morden, which concentrates on providing legal advice to help people with housing, employment, consumer law and debt problems. In its first year, the clinic saw 203 clients. As part of our efforts to create more pro bono opportunities for all departments and wider participation from non-fee earners on projects where they can use their skills, we have recently entered into a second partnership with South West London Law Centre to provide secretarial support, once a week, at their Tooting and Battersea Legal Advice Centres.

In 2007, we launched a new clinic in association with East Hackney Law for the residents of a Hackney housing estate.

We have a longstanding relationship with the Advice Bureau at the Royal Courts of Justice Citizens Advice Bureau, where a rota of volunteers provides free legal advice at the drop-in centre for litigants in person who have cases in the High Court, especially in the Court of Appeal, often the day they seek advice. A team of paralegals also prepares Court of Appeal bundles and a team of secretaries provides assistance when needed.

Advocacy

Volunteers represent clients from the Free Representation Unit appearing before tribunals on employment and social security cases.

Volunteers also work with the Independent Panel for Special Education Advice, providing advice and representation to families who are appealing against their Local Education Authority’s decision about how their child’s special educational needs should be met.

We act for individuals who have been referred to us via the Royal Courts of Justice Citizens Advice Bureau. In May 2007, our largest ever team of walkers participated in the annual London Legal Sponsored Walk. The 45 walkers raised over £5,000 for the Royal Courts of Justice Citizens Advice Bureau.

Our practice teams also provide pro bono legal advice for community groups, which help us fulfil our commitments to tackling homelessness and helping young people realise their potential, as well as other charities, including Cancer Research UK.