Our clients are all on a low income, with the majority in receipt of a least one benefit (the exception is a handful of court duty defendants, who may not otherwise be eligible for our services).
Our clients disproportionately have protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.
Our clients may live in any housing situations, including local authority or housing association properties or private lets (including HMOs). Some must sofa surf or live with family members in overcrowded conditions, and some are street homeless.
To provide free and low-cost specialist legal services to our communities. And to fight for changes to laws and policies that perpetuate disadvantage.
Our vision is a society where socially disadvantaged and vulnerable people will have the high-quality legal advice they deserve, enabling them to access justice and increase their social mobility.
Human rights and equality before the law are the cornerstone of a fair and just society. Everyone has a right to equality before the law. This is only possible if every person can access high quality, independent and expert legal assistance, regardless of their means to challenge unjust laws and circumstances.
We believe people should be able to live in their communities with dignity and respect. We aim to be empathetic and honest at all times.
We recognise the specific circumstances of individuals or groups and tailor our services accordingly. We will always do what we can to create an environment of trust so that clients can understand their rights and engage in any legal processes that concern them.
We must be free to champion the rights of the most disadvantaged and should be directly accountable to local people.
We respond to needs in the community by raising the awareness of human and legal rights, pursuing test cases, influencing social policy and campaigning for social justice. We believe in early intervention and prevention, where possible. We are committed to working with local people, pursuing their cases until a just outcome is achieved.
