Legal problems can affect anyone. A dispute at work, a housing problem, or difficulties with benefits can have a significant impact on someone’s life.
Legal advice can help people understand their rights, make informed decisions and take action. Yet for many people, accessing that advice can be difficult.
I saw from my constituency casework how many people were struggling to access legal support, so I decided to create a Free Legal Advice Centre bridge this gap.
The local law centre in Barnet closed down in the early 2010s, due to funding cuts across the country. A number of wonderful charities have attempted to fill this void by providing support to local residents, but there was still a major gap in accessing legal advice.
For many people, the cost of legal advice is a significant barrier, for others, they may simply not know where to turn.
I established a Free Legal Advice Centre because I believe that everyone, no matter their means, should have access to justice.
I wanted to provide a welcoming and accessible place where members of our community can receive free, independent legal advice from qualified volunteer lawyers.
The Centre is designed to help people understand their legal position and their options, so that they can make informed decisions about what to do next.
Having grown up in the area, I know the strength of our sense of community. We are a neighbourhood where people look out for one another.
I wanted to create a Free Legal Advice Centre rooted in that same spirit: a place where people can use their expertise to support their neighbour.
Local lawyers volunteer their expertise, law students give their time, local venues give up their spaces and community organisations help us reach residents who may need our support. Each plays a part in making sure that people in our community can access the help they need.
The Free Legal Advice Centre is by the community, for the community.
If you need help with a legal issue, request an appointment here
If you have any questions about our Free Legal Advice Centre, please email sarah.sackman.mp@parliament.uk