Post by Patrick Torsney on Jul 16, 2008 7:25:07 GMT
Second Community Legal Advice Centre opens in the Midlands
The leader of Leicester City Council opened a new legal advice centre in Leicester on 14 July 2008. Leicester City Council and the Legal Services Commission are jointly funding the centre at a cost of £3 million over three years
The service is being delivered by:
A4e
Howells solicitors, the largest provider of Legal Aid services in England
The LSC says that:
"Leicester CLAC has already helped resolve a number of complex issues on behalf of its clients"
Graham Hogarth, Legal Director for Howells explains:
"Our staff have already achieved some fantastic outcomes on behalf of our clients, often on a number of complex issues showing the value of an integrated service.
"Last week for example we have helped one client overcome their financial issues by maximising their income through benefit take-up, tackle outstanding priority debts and provide expert employment advice over an outstanding grievance claim against a former employer."
Glyn Evans, Regional Director for the Legal Services Commission in the Midlands said:
“This new Centre will provide an integrated service for people seeking vital advice on a number of problems.
"We understand that getting the right advice at the right time can mean that people avoid their homes being repossessed, get the benefits they are entitled to, or avoid a spiral of mounting debts.
“Leicester’s new Community Legal Advice centre will really make a difference for people who would normally have to seek advice from a number of different places. They can now access help on a range of legal problems, through the centre.
"The centre is the second of its kind in the Midlands and I hope it will provide a blueprint for how legal aid can be provided in the future, by focusing on the practical needs of the public.”
Cllr Ross Willmott (Labour), leader of Leicester City Council said:
"One of the most exciting things about it is that its services will also go out to the areas of the city where people are most in need of them"
