If you are organising an event whether online or in person, please visit the event planning page or let Mary Dobson Smith know at mary@probonoweek.org.uk
Check out our event ideas and tips page for suggestions of what to do and to see the full list of all events that took place in previous years.
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CLCE/Central Law CIC and the Access to Justice Foundation Pilot Scheme: Launch
November 7, 2022
Community Legal Centre Essex (CLCE – Charity No: 1180884) and Central Law CIC (owned by
CLCE) have recently been funded by the Access to Justice Foundation to pilot a new scheme offering early Legal assistance and advice at Courts throughout Essex.
At Courts in Essex – From 7 November 2022 (Pro Bono Week)
Our volunteers, all of whom have been trained by our lawyers, as well as our lawyers themselves, will be present at Chelmsford County & Family Court, Chelmsford Magistrates Court, Southend Combined Court, Basildon County and Magistrates Courts and Colchester Magistrates and Family Court. This is also thanks to the kind assistance of HMCTS.
Volunteers for this scheme are drawn from current post graduate students completing Law School and lawyers qualified in foreign jurisdictions. They will be overseen, in person and by remote, by our lawyers and will have access to them via a direct link, so that Court users can receive legal advice (as compared to mere assistance) when required.
Until all our volunteers are in place, our own lawyers will be covering as many of the Courts as we can, in a private room, so that Court users receive the support they need.
Early Legal Assistance
From 14 November 2022, Court users in and residents of Essex will be able to complete an online form on our website and take up free legal advice from one of our lawyers having sent in the details of their case. Funded by Essex County Council, Central Law is committed to providing 45 minutes of free legal advice to all residents of Essex as soon as possible. With the key information in hand by use of the form on our website, our lawyers will be able to ensure effective early advice, thereby ensuring that those with a legal issue can make informed decisions, potentially avoiding litigation.
Legal Questions Answered
Anyone can join the relevant Group on our Facebook page and have their question answered by one of our lawyers, for free, 90% of the time within 24 hours of posting. This is another service funded by Essex County Council. These services mean that, unlike any other county in England, there is some early legal advice available to every county resident, without charge.