In 2021, the Legal Advice Centre is celebrating 80 years!
More information on how we will be celebrating coming soon.
Free Legal Writing Tool
Badly treated at work? Use Virtual Lawyer to write to your employer.
Virtual Lawyer is a free to use tool that helps you write a letter to your employer. It is an award-winning tool developed by the team at Monaco Solicitors who are experts in employment law and legal technology.
The tool is designed to be easy to use by everyone, not just lawyers. It helps you draft a letter quickly using paragraphs relevant to your employment issues. All paragraphs in the tool have been written and reviewed by specialist employment lawyers.
How does it work?
It’s a simple three-step process:
- Answer a brief questionnaire about your circumstance at work: The tool will ask you a short list of questions and then recommend a selection of relevant paragraphs which you can include in your letter.
- Construct a letter from paragraphs: You can read through the recommended paragraphs to decide which ones are most appropriate for your case. Simply drag-and-drop these paragraphs to construct the fundamentals of your legal letter.
- Preview and amend your draft letter: Once you are happy with your selected paragraphs, you can preview the final letter. You can then copy your letter into your favourite word processing tool to make the final tweaks.
Virtual Lawyer is completely free and anonymous. There is no need to sign up, or give any of your personal details.
What happens after I write my letter?
Our users use Virtual Lawyer in different ways.
Some of our users feel confident about approaching their employer with their drafted letter. Others may approach pro bono services, like Legal Advice Centre, or other solicitors to get a second opinion. And others use Virtual Lawyer as a way to understand how employment law may apply to their circumstance, and then decide on an action at a later stage.
Can I trust Virtual Lawyer?
All of the content in Virtual Lawyer is vetted by lawyers who are specialists in Employment Law.
The tool is designed by a team of law and technology experts, who are enhancing the recommendations provided to you through the use of cutting-edge AI techniques and data science technology.
How does Legal Advice Centre work with Virtual Lawyer?
Virtual Lawyer is a tool built to improve access to justice and empower everyone to self-help on legal matters.
Legal Advice Centre is working in partnership with Monaco Solicitors, and provides important input into how Virtual Lawyer will evolve in the future to better meet the needs of the public.
I have some problems using the tool. Who do I contact?
Get in touch with the Virtual Lawyer team at communications@monacosolicitors.co.uk
I would like to offer feedback to improve the tool.
We always welcome feedback. Simply get in touch with the Virtual Lawyer team at communications@monacosolicitors.co.uk
In addition, we are looking for people who are interested in being part of our user research. In a user research session, participants walk us through their experience of using the tool. The session takes 30 minutes, and your feedback will provide us with great insights on how to improve the app.
LawWorks Pro Bono Awards 2020
The LawWorks Pro Bono Awards recognise and celebrate achievement in legal pro bono work, undertaken by organisations and individuals, and the commitment of the legal sector in enabling access to justice.
We have been shortlisted for three awards:
- Best Contribution by an Individual – Eddie Coppinger
- Best Contribution by a Pro Bono Clinic – Dracaena Webcam Advice Project: Dracaena Community Centre, Legal Advice Centre (University House), Charles Russell Speechlys and White & Case
- Best Digital/Virtual Pro Bono Activity (a new award for 2020) – Advice Portal
The annual LawWorks Pro Bono Awards will be livestreamed at 6pm on Wednesday 2nd December 2020.
The judging panel for the awards are:
- Stephanie Boyce, Deputy President of the Law Society
- Ruth Daniel, Chief Executive of the Access to Justice Foundation
- Paul Rogerson, Editor of the Law Society Gazette
- Adam Tear, Chair of the Solicitors Association of Higher Court advocates
- Chris Minnoch, Director of the Legal Aid Practitioners Group
- Koser Shaheen, Chair of the Law Society’s Ethnic Minority Lawyers Division
- Heidi Sandy, Chair of the Law Society’s Women Lawyers Division
- Yasmin Batliwala, Chief Executive of Advocates for International Development
- Mark Evans, Chair of Wales Committee of The Law Society and Council Member for North Wales
Coronavirus Update
We are now doing telephone and webcam advice every week by pre-booked appointments only and we will continue to do this until we and the volunteer advisers can go back into the office.
If you want advice, please contact us using our contact form or phone us during the telephone opening hours below.
0203 606 0372 – Monday – Thursday 9:30am – 4pm
| Day | Morning Advice |
Evening Advice |
| Monday | Benefits | Housing Debt General Litigation Small Claims Consumer |
| Tuesday | Family | |
| Wednesday | Housing Debt General Litigation Small Claims Consumer |
Family Law Advice During COVID-19
Do you still need Family Law advice during COVID-19?
We’re still open during COVID-19 to help you.
We’re still available to advise you while COVID-19 is happening, even if it means we can’t get to the office.
If you would like advice on your Family Law issue please contact us using:
- our contact form;
- email us at admin@legaladvicecentre.london, or;
- phone us during the telephone opening hours below and we can arrange an appointment by telephone or webcam.
Telephone: 0203 606 0372
Monday – Thursday 9:30 – 4:30
The appointment will be for Tuesday evenings so make sure you’re free.
Many Thanks
The team at Legal Advice Centre
Coronavirus
From Monday 23 March the evening drop-in session will be running a limited service, by appointment only. This is until further notice.
If you want advice, please contact us using our contact form, email us at admin@legaladvicecentre.london, or phone us during the telephone opening hours below.
0203 606 0372
Monday & Tuesday 2pm – 4pm
Wednesday & Thurs 10am – 2pm
Our Monday Welfare Benefits, Tuesday Idea Store and Thursday Wapping sessions will be telephone appointments only. Please call during the times above for an appointment or use our contact form.
If you or anyone in your household has flu like symptoms or travelled abroad in the last 14 days, please do not come to the centre and call or email us for advice.
If we suspect you may have any of the possible symptoms we may decide not to offer a face to face appointment
NOTE – We may use video calling for example Skype to give advice during this time. Please let us know if you are happy with this rather than telephone advice.
Christmas Closing and Family Clinic changes
Christmas Closure
Our last evening drop-in session for 2019 will be on Thursday 12 December 2019.
Our last Family law clinic will be on Tuesday 17 December 2019.
The office will close on Friday 20 December 2019.
We restart the evening sessions on Monday 6 January 2020.
Family Law Clinic is moving!
From 10 December 2019, the family law clinic will be at 104 Roman Road, E2 0RN.
Registration still starts at 4.30 and will be first come first served.
Vacancy CLOSED – Trainee Solicitor
This vacancy is now closed.
| Job Title | Trainee Solicitor |
| Department | Trainee will undertake seats in at least three departments, including Welfare Benefits, Housing, Employment. |
| Reports to | Operations Director |
| Location | London |
| Grade/Salary | £30,000pa plus pension contribution |
| Hours | Full time including some evening work likely to be required |
The Centre is an independent registered charity set up over 75 years ago to give legal advice and assistance to residents principally of Tower Hamlets and South Hackney who are unable, for financial or other reasons, to access legal help elsewhere.
Job Description
A trainee with the Legal Advice Centre will be expected to provide high quality legal advice and legal services whilst demonstrating a commitment to social welfare and access to justice.
To achieve this, you will be expected to:
- keep up to date with the relevant areas of law and practice
- keep up to date with and to comply with the SRA Code of Conduct
- to attend internal and external training courses
A trainee will be required to complete at least three seats in different areas of law. We are currently able to provide seats in Employment Law, Housing Law, Welfare Benefits and potentially a secondment to a firm or alternative organisation. The Centre will allocate the area and length of time for each seat. As a trainee you will need to complete the tasks required by the SRA Practice Skills Standard and abide by the SRA Training Regulations 2014 – Qualification and Provider Regulations.
A trainee will be expected to provide an efficient and friendly service to our user group.
To achieve this a trainee will be expected:
- to adopt a professional approach when dealing with clients, solicitors and third parties.
- to adhere to the client care standards set out in the office manual and SRA Code of Conduct.
- to write letters and produce documents with a good quality of presentation in line with the Centre’s procedures.
A trainee will be expected to work as part of a team with all other staff and volunteers; we are seeking people who understand the issues and requirements of working within a small multi-disciplined team.
To ensure the smooth running of the Centre a trainee will be expected to adhere to the procedures set out in the office manual and amended as necessary. The Centre needs people who want to help develop it by being flexible and willing to undertake project management and development.
You will be expected to co-ordinate some evening drop-in sessions on a rota basis.
Person Specification
| Skills | Good communication and interpersonal skills including good written and verbal skills Ability to work under supervision and also on your own initiative. Be able to prioritise workloads and work to tight deadlines. Strong IT skills, specifically Microsoft Office, Skype, online legal databases |
| Knowledge and Understanding | Awareness of current social welfare issues, policies and procedures Understand the issues and requirements of working within a small multi-disciplined team. Knowledge/understanding of advice agencies and other frontline services. Desire to help develop the Centre by being flexible and willing to undertake project management and development Some knowledge of housing, welfare benefits, debt and employment, or the ability to access and use appropriate sources of such information |
| Personal Attributes | Efficient, professional and friendly service to clients and colleagues. Commitment to social welfare and access to justice. Commitment to diversity. Demonstrable empathy with our user group. |
How to apply
Please go to https://jff.thelegaleducationfoundation.org/ to apply for the position.
Applications are now open, closing on 16 September 2019. Please do not apply directly to us.
We have been shortlisted for prestigious legal awards
The Legal Advice Centre (University House) has been shortlisted for the Law Society’s prestigious Excellence Awards 2019, the highest accolade for law firms in England and Wales.
The Legal Advice Centre (University House) has been shortlisted in the Excellence in Access to Justice category.
Law Society president Simon Davis said:
“There are more than 140,000 solicitors in England and Wales – to be shortlisted for an Excellence Award is to be recognised as among the very best of the profession.
“The firms and solicitors shortlisted should be commended for going above and beyond to support their clients, often navigating tricky and sometimes contentious areas of the law.
“With the justice system so under strain, we should take this opportunity to celebrate the incredible work solicitors do day-in and day-out – and to recognise the immense contribution they make to our society.”
Winners are announced at the Law Society’s Excellence Awards ceremony in London on 23 October 2019.
Vacancy Closed Employment Caseworker/Solicitor
Vacancy Closed
We are looking to recruit an Employment Caseworker/Solicitor.
This role was previously advertised. Experience of providing advice on Domestic Violence is desirable, not essential.
Reference: 2019_BL2
Deadline – 17 July 2019 5pm
How to apply
If you would like to apply for the role, please email eddie@legaladvicecentre.london with the subject “Job Application” and the role reference 2019_BL2.
Your email should include your CV and cover letter, identifying how your skills and experience meet the criteria set out in the job description and person specification.
If you have any questions regarding the role or the application, please contact Eddie Coppinger eddie@legaladvicecentre.london
Legal Advice Centre (University House) is an equal opportunities employer. We encourage applications irrespective of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age.