East Riding bid wins seal of approval to become UK's first Legal Advice Network
The East Yorkshire Citizens Advice Bureau has won the contract to run the UK’s first Community Legal Advice Network (CLA Network), funded by East Riding of Yorkshire Council and the Legal Services Commission.
The Network will provide an integrated legal service, from basic advice to representation at court, helping people with the full range of social welfare legal problems.
For the first time, residents will have access to a comprehensive service across the East Riding from a wide variety of locations, including via videophone (through the Council’s CitizenLink portals) and by telephone, as well as face-to-face advice at three permanent town-centre locations (Beverley, Bridlington and Goole) and at outreach venues.
In addition to providing a brand new face-to-face service in Beverley, this three-year contract will also enable clients to make appointments through the council’s suite of Customer Service Centres.
As providers of existing services funded by the LSC and the council, the East Yorkshire Citizens Advice Bureau is familiar with the range of legal problems experienced by local residents. To support them in meeting these needs, Switalskis Solicitors will bring their expertise into the region as a sub-contractor in the service.
Lesley Thornley, Chief Executive of the East Yorkshire Citizens Advice Bureau, said: “We are extremely pleased that our bid to provide the CLA Network was successful. The Citizens Advice Bureau’s experience, strong volunteering base and knowledge of the local community, together with the legal expertise of Switalskis, our partners, will enable us to provide a more extensive service and a much wider range of advice and support to the people of the East Riding.”
Councillor Jonathan Owen, deputy leader of the Council, states: “I am delighted that the CLA Network contract has been awarded to the Citizens Advice Bureau. Citizens Advice Bureaux nationally are well respected by the public as a source of independent advice and information. The specification of the contract bid was a very demanding one and the Citizens Advice Bureau has risen to the challenge to deliver the services required. This is also the culmination of a lot of work put in by the council and the Legal Services Commission to specify a service that will be of maximum benefit to our residents.”
Carolyn Regan, the Legal Services Commission Chief Executive, said: “The Community Legal Advice Network will provide the people of the East Riding with better access to high-quality social welfare legal services. We are delighted with the outcome of the tender, and look forward to the launch of the new service next year.”
The Network is due to open on 1st March 2010.
Media information
Tom Du Boulay, press officer, East Riding of Yorkshire Council
Tel: 01482 391441
Email: tom.duboulay@eastriding.gov.uk
Liana Stevens, communications officer, Legal Services Commission
Tel: 0115 9084312
Email: Liana.stevens@legalservices.gov.uk
About The Legal Services Commission
The Legal Services Commission (LSC) is the organisation that runs the legal aid system for England and Wales. More information about the Legal Services Commission can be found at: www.legalservices.gov.uk
About Community Legal Advice
Community Legal Advice is a free and confidential advice service paid for by legal aid. Advice is available from 9:00am to 8:00pm on Monday to Friday; and 9:00am to 12:30pm on Saturdays.
The helpline 0845 345 4 345 provides independent advice about family, debt, education, benefits and tax credits, employment and housing problems to people who live on a low income or benefits. People can also find out about local advice providers - from local solicitors to Citizen Advice Bureaux - who can provide ‘legal aid’ funded advice.
Calls cost no more than 4p per minute from a BT landline but calls from mobiles are usually more. If a caller is concerned about the cost of a call, an operator can call them back. Mobile users can text “legalaid” and their name to 80010 and an operator will call them back.
Community Legal Advice also has a website, www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk, where people can download free booklets giving them the information they need to help them with many common legal problems. They can also search themselves for an advice provider near them.
