Who We Are

Gloucester Law Centre is a registered charity which has been providing free, confidential impartial legal advice to Gloucester residents for 25 years in September 2010. We currently cover the areas of Housing for tenants , Welfare Benefits and Council Tax, Employment, Immigration, Nationality and Asylum.

In general our advice is limited to those who live within the city boundaries (i.e. pay council tax to Gloucester City Council), however we may be able to provide advice to residents of Gloucestershire, subject to eligibility for free legal help, based on income and savings. Please call us if you wish to check whether you are eligible for help.

We offer basic, first level advice, as well as specialist advice and representation in courts and tribunals to all levels. Advice is offered at drop in sessions and by appointment. A number of our clients come to us by referral from other organizations.

We have interpreters available either in person, by previous arrangement , or using Language Line, a telephone interpretation service. We can also provide signing for people with hearing impairment.

Many organizations continue to use the Law Centre for specialist consultative support and we have continued to provide talks to groups about service areas and training sessions.

Why Law Centres?

Accessing legal advice can be difficult for a number of reasons. Although there are a number of private solicitors in Gloucester, for many people there is no possibility of being able to pay for this advice, and in any event many private solicitors do not deal with social welfare law. Several advice agencies offer general advice on many issues and some limited specialist advice, but it may not always be easy for individuals to access the specialist advice that is needed.

Law Centres originated in the 1970’s mainly in large urban centres and exist to bridge the gaps and to serve those in most need of help.

Law Centres exist to provide accessible legal advice to those who cannot afford to pay for it. Our work aims to use the law to help combat inequality, discrimination and the causes as well as the effects of poverty, and to ensure that people have someone to champion their rights through legal challenge.
The majority of our funding comes from the Legal Services Commission and Gloucester City Council. We also have grants from Gloucestershire County Council and donations from other sources (see Sponsors Page).   This funding allows us to provide specialist legal advice and representation without charge to our clients

We have a wealth of skills and experience within our team of advisers, which includes solicitors, barristers and experienced caseworkers and community workers. We cover the areas of Social Welfare Law that are not generally covered by private solicitors, which challenge poverty and support the diverse local communities which make up the population of the City Of Gloucester.