Press releases

Community Legal Service Direct is helping people get information and advice before a problem becomes a crisis.

Last year, 1355 local people received civil legal help from law firms and advice agencies that undertake legal aid work in Cambridge.  Now, the new step-by-step guide to is available for every client those legal aid organisations open a case for.

The new easy to follow guide explains how the legal aid system works, including:

• what legal aid is (and broadly how it works);
• who can get it; and
• how to find out if you might qualify.

People seek civil legal aid for everything from help with legal correspondence through to representation in the highest courts. A companion guide on how to choose an adviser is also available.

Lin Storey, Regional Director, said: “In addition to the new debt tool and step-by step guide, Community Legal Service Direct has lots of information leaflets that cover common legal problems. They explain the law and help you get the right advice. You can read or download them at http://www.clsdirect.org.uk/. Our helpline 0845 345 4 345 is also paid for by legal aid. It provides independent advice about debt, education, benefits and tax credits, employment and housing problems to people who live on a low income or benefits.  This is one way in which we at the Legal Services Commission help people and ensure that they know their legal rights.  People who know and can act on their rights can play a fuller role in society.”

The new debt remedy tool was created in partnership with the Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS), an independent organisation funded by the banking industry.

The free tool allows website visitors to assess their financial situation. A brief questionnaire directs them to the most appropriate source of information or advice.

This may involve contacting CCCS and speaking with a debt counsellor or completing a more detailed questionnaire, which is used to produce a personalised debt advice leaflet and budget management plan.

The whole process is completely anonymous and confidential. Clients are referred to a Community Legal Service Direct adviser if the debt is disputed or if it is a priority debt such as rent arrears.

Debt is very a high demand area of civil legal aid and the Dealing with Debt leaflet is downloaded approximately 3,000 times every month.

Debt is a more serious problem in the UK than ever as households struggle to cope with debt totalling £1.1trillion; that’s more than £16,500 worth of debt for every man, woman and child in the UK. Last year:

• 6.6 million people reported being three months or more behind with payments on their regular commitments
• individuals declaring themselves insolvent rose 95%
• bankruptcies were up by nearly a third
• home possession orders jumped 66% and repossessions 47%
• the average personal debt of visitors to advice agencies topped £30,000.

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Media seeking more information can contact: Sarah Regan, Legal Services Commision. Tel: 01223 417943

Email: mailto:michaela.keating@legalservices.gov.uk