Published: 12th January 2009
Summary
The legal aid phone line, Community Legal Advice, is set to expand this summer by increasing its family law advice service and by opening longer hours.
Last year 300,000 people used the helpline for debt, housing, employment, education and welfare benefits problems. The Legal Services Commission (LSC) today committed to helping a further 25,000 people a year with family law advice services by expanding the service from July. The phone line will also extend its hours to weekday evenings and Saturday mornings.
A tender to run the new family service was launched today following a successful year long pilot. The LSC’s Executive Director for Commissioning, Hugh Barrett said; “We are asking family legal advisers to tender for the Community Legal Advice family helpline contract because our research shows that debt, housing and family problems are so often experienced together. Debt, eviction or redundancy can put strain on relationships. Equally, splitting households can cause housing or debt problems. The Community Legal Advice line, 0845 345 4 345, will soon offer free help across the full range of commonly linked problems for people who need help but can’t afford it.“
Some of the key findings from an evaluation of the pilot include:
The LSC is investing around £7-million over three years in the Community Legal Advice family service to be rolled out from July.
Full details can be found on the LSC’s website at www.legalservices.gov.uk
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http://www.legalservices.gov.uk/aboutus/press_releases_9192.asp (HMTL)
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