Accredited Advice Agencies
ACCREDITED ADVICE AGENCIES
British Polio
http://www.britishpolio.org.uk/
The British Polio Fellowship is a charity dedicated to helping, supporting and empowering approximately 120,000 people in the UK living with the late effects of Polio and Post Polio Syndrome (PPS), a neurological condition. It provides information, welfare and support to those living with the effects to enable all to live full independent and integrated lives.
Casus Omissus
About us
Casus Omissus, the Aberdeen Law Project, is a law clinic operating in partnership with the University of Aberdeen. The Aberdeen Law Project is a student founded, led, and operated law clinic committed to providing legal services to those in the community with no alternative means of support. The clinic aims to supplement existing services through the provision of representation and advice across key areas including housing, employment and consumer law.
Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS)
Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) - a national umbrella body that provides essential services to Scottish citizens advice bureaux.
Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB) - independent, local charities that are members of Citizens Advice Scotland. Bureaux provide advice and information to people in need in over 200 locations. Please check with your local Citizens Advice Bureau if they can make a referral. Depending on the resources of the individual bureau, this service may not be available.
Citizens Rights Project
The Citizens Rights Project works to advise and support the interests of EU and other European citizens in Scotland.
It is accredited by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) to provide free immigration advice at Level 1, restricted to EU Settlement Scheme matters only. It also offers advice on other citizens’ rights issues.
Details about the project’s work, and contact details, can be found on its website.
Civil Rights First
Civil Rights First (CRF) was founded to ensure everyone has free access to justice. We provide specialist advice and effective advocacy with a holistic and innovative approach, while aiming to make a real difference in social justice. We provide specialist advice and effective advocacy to all citizens on a range of areas including equalities and human rights. We have provided this service since our launch in May 2018.
Contact details, can be found on its website.
Clackmannanshire Tenants and Residents Federation
www.clacks.gov.uk/housing/ctrf/
Clackmannanshire Tenants and Residents Federation promotes the rights of tenants and residents throughout Clackmannanshire, working for the improvement of their housing conditions, amenities and environment.
Tel: 01259 450000
Email: housing@clacks.gov.uk
Clan Childlaw
Clan Childlaw is a unique legal and advocacy service for children and young people that delivers free, confidential legal advice and representation in Edinburgh, the Lothians and Glasgow. We help children and young people up to the age of 18, or 21 if they have been looked-after. Our lawyers are experienced child lawyers who only represent young people, and can meet you at a time and place where you feel comfortable. We also provide free information and guidance about children's rights and the law though our phone enquiry Information Service to family members, carers and adults who work with children or young people in Scotland, and training about children's rights and the law across Scotland. Clan Childlaw also uses what we learn from our legal work to make changes to the law.
Diabetes UK
We are the largest charity in the UK devoted to the treatment and care of people with diabetes - to improve the quality of life for people with the condition.
Disability Law Service
Our mission is to provide free legal advice to people with disabilities and their carers to ensure that they have access to their rights and justice.
We advise on community care, employment, housing and welfare benefits.
We aim to respond to enquiries within 3-5 working days. Please note that we can only advise on discrimination in employment cases
Tel: 0207 791 9800 Email: advice@dls.org.uk
University of Edinburgh Free Legal Advice Centre
https://www.law.ed.ac.uk/about-us/free-legal-advice-centre
The Free Legal Advice Centre delivers pro bono legal services to members of the public living in and around the Edinburgh area who, for whatever reason, cannot access legal advice elsewhere. Student advisers, members of staff, and qualified volunteer solicitors work together to offer advice on legal problems. These volunteer solicitors supervise the student advisers and assist them in their research, but the student advisers are responsible for dealing with your case and contacting you.
We can provide advice and assistance on the following: Company & Commercial, Contract, Disputes, Employment, Family, Property, Intellectual Property, Landlord and Tenant, Wills and Inheritance, and Personal Injury.
We cannot provide advice or assistance on the following: Criminal Law, Tax, Immigration Law, or Representation or advice in tribunals, hearing, or the vast majority of court cases.
Although we are unable to offer representation in tribunals, hearings, and the vast majority of court cases.
Edinburgh Napier Law Clinic
The Edinburgh Napier Law Clinic is a voluntary organisation aiming to provide free legal advice and assistance. We help those citizens of Edinburgh, who do not qualify for legal aid or need to make a significant contribution towards the legal cost, which they cannot afford to pay. The clinic is established and run by law students from Edinburgh Napier University. They have all passed appropriate training which will enable them to provide legal assistance in the areas of employment, housing and consumer contract. There are also a number of experienced professionals who will be volunteering their time in supervising the students and the clinic’s activities. It is our belief that the clinical education is essential for law students because it will not only improve their problem-solving abilities, but will also provide them with a direct client contact at the very beginning of their professional development. One of the clinic’s main objectives is to broaden the concept of access to justice. In our view, in order to be effective the access to justice shall be conceived more broadly than just access to the lawyers and courts. We believe that the law clinics fit well this purpose, by supporting people in need with legal assistance. The clinic is supported and funded by Edinburgh Napier University.
Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland (ERCS)
The Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland’s mission is to assist members of the public and civil society to understand and exercise their rights in environmental law and to protect the environment. We offer free advice to individuals, community groups and organisations on environmental and related planning law to improve access to information, public participation in environmental decision-making, and access to justice on the environment.
To make an enquiry, please complete the online form at https://www.ercs.scot/get-advice/. We will acknowledge your enquiry with an email within three working days. We may then arrange a telephone call to gain further information and agree next steps with you.
Ethnic Minorities Law Centre
The Ethnic Minorities Law Centre is a recognised Scottish charity and has been operating since 1991 as a non-profit making company limited by guarantee providing ethnic minority communities with access to professional services to address unmet legal needs. Based in Glasgow and governed by a voluntary Board of Directors, we are the only dedicated centre in Britain providing legal services exclusively to black and ethnic minority communities. Consequently we have developed specialist knowledge and experience in specific areas of the law, particularly discrimination and immigration. We therefore offer a unique range of legal services to ethnic minority communities who need help in accessing their rights and in redressing racial discrimination; potentially a model for national application.
Fife Law Centre
Fife Law Centre has a team of solicitors who provide free legal guidance and possible representation for the people in Fife who need it most. They can provide legal guidance and support on a range of matters. For example: housing, benefit appeals, criminal injuries compensation applications (CICA), low level employment issues, Scottish Social Services Council matters (SSSC) and more. If they're unable to help, they'll do their best to point you in the direction of someone who can.
Call: 01592 786710 Email: info@fifelawcentre.co.uk
FJSS Group
Fair Justice System for Scotland Group is a grassroots-led legal charity that works towards comprehensive justice sector reforms in Scotland that will bring about greater equality and diversity in the Scottish justice system. Our work is geared to influence justice delivery policy in Scotland through informing policy formulation, development and engaging with key decision and policy makers.
The FJSS Group’s community led strategic implementation approach focusing on the justice sector is both novel and innovative. This has been developed through long-term understanding of, and navigation within, the local and national organisations that seek to address racial equality but have not achieved positive outcomes for BAME communities across Scotland.
The organisation has the singular aim of a fair and inclusive Scotland for all. Our aims and objectives entail but are not limited to, providing free legal advice and assistance to citizens who do not qualify for legal aid and refugees. The centre is led by the founder and chief executive officer Mr Silence Chihuri who is passionate about justice and access to justice for BAME citizens in Scotland.
Run 95% by volunteers from different walks of life and expertise, who are passionate about fair and inclusive Scotland for all, the centre has become a focal point for BAME communities seeking legal justice. There are experienced legal professionals who volunteer and supervise the work we do. We are of the belief that the BAME communities do bring a much-needed different perspective to the equality discussion and they deserve all the opportunities out there for them to realise their full potential.
More details about the FJSS Group on www.fjssgroup.org or via email: info@fjssgroup.org
Granton Information Centre (GIC)
Granton Information Centre (GIC) provides free, impartial and confidential expert advice, information and representation to the residents of North Edinburgh on a range of issues and by a variety of methods inc. centre-based interviews, home visits, outreach / drop in clinics, representation, training provision and raising awareness sessions.
The main issues we deal with at Granton Information Centre are:-
- Welfare Benefits
- Housing Advice
- Employment Rights
- Debt / Money Advice
- Fuel Poverty & Energy Efficiency
Just Right Scotland
JustRight Scotland uses the law to defend and extend people’s rights. We aim to increase access to justice by providing direct legal advice and representation to disadvantaged community groups across Scotland, including women, children, disabled people, refugees, LGBTQ+ people and survivors of trafficking, particularly in the areas of human rights and equality law. We are a trauma-informed team who collaborate closely with specialist organisations to provide person-centred support.
MR Associates
We provide specialist advice, representation and training around the housing benefit scheme in relation to supported accommodation. Our unrivalled knowledge of the scheme, years of experience in successfully resolving housing benefit disputes, and a small team of committed specialists ensures we're the first choice for charities and organisations seeking advice and representation.
Mark Rodgers established MR Associates in 2000 and today is considered one of the UK's leading experts regarding the housing benefit scheme in relation to supported accommodation.
The area of supported housing and benefits can be complex and time-consuming. We can help you tackle a range of issues by providing clear guidance and expert opinion on the housing benefit scheme in relation to supported accommodation. We have an outstanding track record of successfully resolving housing benefit disputes before local authorities and Tribunals. Our expertise around complicated cases, our direct access to leading barristers and advocates, and our in-depth knowledge of housing benefit ensure we get positive outcomes.
Tel: 01475 727089
MECOPP Carers Centre
By working in partnership with carers, the voluntary and statutory sectors, MECOPP actively seeks to challenge and dismantle barriers that deny Black and Minority Ethnic carers access to health, social work and other social care services in Edinburgh, the Lothians and further afield.
0131 467 2994 or info@mecopp.org.uk
Midlothian Council Welfare Rights Service
Midlothian Welfare Rights Service offer free confidential and impartial help and advice on a range of problems. We accept referrals from internal departments and external local agencies for residents who reside in Midlothian.
- Tax Credit and pension credit
- Disability and carers benefits
- Housing benefit and Council Tax benefit
- Universal Credit
- Social Security Appeal representation
https://www.midlothian.gov.uk/info/612/benefits_and_grants/516/benefits_advice
Welfare Rights Officers
Telephone: 0131 270 8922
welfarerights@midlothian.gov.uk
Fairfield House
8 Lothian Road
Dalkeith
EH22 3AA
National Gulf Veterans & Families Association
The NGVFA is an independent registered charity supporting those affected by Gulf War 1 and Gulf War 2 (Iraq), the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan, and all future desert conflicts.
Planning Aid Scotland
Planning Aid Scotland is a charity and social enterprise that helps people navigate the planning system. Our free and impartial Advice Service is offered by a mix of staff members and volunteers. All advisors are chartered planners. If you are seeking legal advice on a planning-specific matter – we may be able to refer you to the Free Legal Services Unit.
Rape Crisis Scotland
Rape Crisis Scotland is Scotland’s leading organisation working to transform attitudes, improve responses and ultimately to end rape and sexual violence in all its forms. We work with a network of 17 independent local Rape Crisis centres across Scotland who provide trauma-informed support to more than 6000 survivors annually. The Rape Crisis Scotland Helpline is a free and confidential service which supports anyone aged 13+ who has experienced rape, sexual violence or abuse, whether it happened recently or in the past.
Address: Rape Crisis Scotland, 1st Floor, Abbey House, 10 Bothwell Street, Glasgow, G2 6LU
Telephone (General enquiries): 0141 331 4180
Email (General enquiries): info@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk
Helpline: Freephone 08088 01 03 02 (Daily 5pm – midnight)
Renfrewshire Law Centre
Renfrewshire Law Centre (RLC) uses our legal system to improve the life chances of individuals and groups facing poverty or disadvantage across Renfrewshire. We provide legal advice and representation, usually free of charge. RLC is part of the Scottish Association of Law Centres.
RNIB
http://www.rnib.org.uk/scotland/contact-rnib-scotland
We're the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and we're here for everyone affected by sight loss. Whether you're losing your sight or you're blind or partially sighted, our practical and emotional support can help you face the future with confidence.
Whether you need advice on staying in work, using technology to help you do everyday tasks, or simply someone who can offer emotional support to help you come to terms with sight loss.
We're RNIB and we're here from the moment you're diagnosed to help you get on with your life. From the day when you need us the most, until the day you're living your life again.
With your support, we can reach more blind and partially sighted people and face the future with confidence together.
Robert Gordon University Pro-Bono Unit
https://www.rgu.ac.uk/life-at-rgu/learning-facilities/law-facilities/the-law-clinic
Robert Gordon University's Law School Clinic was launched in November 2013. It has more recently been rebranded as the Grampian Community Law Centre. Its student members provide free, confidential, and independent legal advice to citizens of Aberdeen and the surrounding North-East area who would otherwise be unable to afford a solicitor. The Law Centre also runs a virtual Orkney clinic and provides the same legal advice and assistance service to the residents of Orkney. The student volunteers work under the supervision of academic staff and qualified solicitors. The key aims of this initiative are both to provide students with the opportunity to gain practical experience, and to benefit the local community by providing access to justice to those who may need legal advice but who cannot access it elsewhere.
Grampian Community Law Centre (part of RGU School of Law and Social Sciences)
Riverside Building
Garthdee Road
Aberdeen
AB10 7QE
The Royal British Legion Scotland
http://www.legionscotland.org.uk/
Royal British Legion Scotland (Legion Scotland) is Scotland's largest veterans' membership charity. We look after the interests of Scotland's ex-service men and women as well as their families, whether they left service yesterday or 50 years ago. We do this by providing comradeship and practical support such as our wellbeing and befriending service, a range of grants, and our specialist disablement pensions advice and advocacy service.
Our disablement pensions service is provided free to veterans who have become disabled, physically or psychologically, as a result of their service in the Armed Forces. We offer telephone based advice on potential claims, help with completing claim forms, and representation at pensions tribunals. As the largest specialist provider of this service in Scotland, every year we represent around 200 ex-service personnel at war pensions tribunals and give advice to countless thousands more.
The service assists veterans to pursue their possible entitlement to a military disablement pension or a claim related to:
- War Disablement Pension: for injuries pre 6th April 2005
- Armed Forces Compensation Scheme: for injuries after 6th April 2005
- War Widows Pensions
- Supplementary Allowances
The length of a veteran's service is irrelevant, with the only qualification being that the claimant must have suffered a disability or condition which is shown to be attributable to, or aggravated by, his or her service.
Scotland Shelter
http://scotland.shelter.org.uk/
Shelter is a charity that works to alleviate the distress caused by homelessness and bad housing. We do this by giving advice, information and advocacy to people in housing need, and by campaigning for lasting political change to end the housing crisis for good.
Scottish Child Law Centre
Free legal advice for and about kids - we can help you with any questions about the law. We are the only Law Centre in Scotland that works exclusively for children and young people. We provide services throughout the whole of Scotland. We help children and young people, their families and carers, and professionals working for and with children by providing free expert legal advice and information through our advice line, email and text services.
We also provide a wide range of training on the law and children's rights to groups and individuals across Scotland, and offer a range of leaflets and publications on various legal issues. We do visits to schools and young peoples organisations as well.
Our advice line number is a free phone number 0300 3301 421. Our advice line is temporarily closed at the moment but we still reply to e-mail enquiries at advice@sclc.org.uk
Scottish Womens' Aid
http://www.scottishwomensaid.org.uk
Scottish Women's Aid is the lead organisation in Scotland working towards the prevention of domestic abuse. We play a vital role campaigning and lobbying for effective responses to domestic abuse.
Scottish Women's Aid, 2nd Floor, 132 Rose Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3JD
Tel: 0131 226 6606
Fax: 0131 226 2996
Scottish Women's Rights Centre
coordinator@scottishwomensrightscentre.org.uk
The Scottish Women’s Rights Centre is a unique collaborative project that provides free legal information, advice and representation to women affected by violence and abuse.
The Centre strives to fill the gaps that exist between women’s experiences of gender based violence and their ability to access justice by working with a specialist solicitor and an experienced advocacy worker. Informed by our direct work with victim-survivors of violence and abuse, we seek to influence national policy, research and training to improve processes and systems, and ultimately to improve the outcomes for women who have experienced gender based violence.
The SWRC collaboration is between Rape Crisis Scotland, JustRight Scotland and the University of Strathclyde Law Clinic. For more information please see www.scottishwomensrightscentre.org.uk
Scotland wide helplines are available on Freephone: 08088 010 789 every Tues 6 -9pm, Wed 1.30 – 4.30pm and Fri 10am – 1pm
Shared Parenting Scotland
https://www.sharedparenting.scot/
Shared Parenting Scotland is a registered Scottish charity (SC042817), with four casework staff: Ian Maxwell (national manager), John Forsyth (policy) and Alastair Williamson (outreach and partnership development) and Mark Downie (Veterans and armed forces). Shared Parenting Scotland also provides coaching/capacity building to assist separated parents achieve co-parenting, such as New ways For Families.
Our purposes according to the constitution are:
- For the relief of parents and their children and other close family members living in Scotland or having a family member in Scotland who are suffering from the consequences of divorce or separation by providing advice, assistance and other support and, in so doing, helping parents stay in touch with their children after divorce or separation;
- To further the emotional development of children in Scotland whose parents have divorced or separated by encouraging shared parenting arrangements which enable such children to have continuing and meaningful relationships with both their parents;
- To conduct study and research into problems concerned with children in Scotland who are deprived of the presence of a parent in their families, and into the problems concerned with establishing good relations between parents living apart from their children, and to publish the useful results of all such study and research in order to encourage appropriate changes in professional and public opinion’
Strathclyde University Law Clinic
The University of Strathclyde Law Clinic aims to deliver access to justice for those who have unmet legal needs and are unable to afford a solicitor.
All work is completed by our volunteer law students under the supervision of our qualified solicitors. The volunteer students are responsible for cases throughout and this includes any potential representation in Tribunals and the Sheriff Court (under Simple Procedure only).
We can provide advice and assistance on the following areas of law:
- Employment
- Consumer
- Housing
- SSSC
This list is not exhaustive but an indication of the areas we can help with.
Unfortunately we are unable to offer any advice on Criminal, Family or Personal Injury cases or matters which are beyond our capacity or remit due to complexity or subject matter. We are unable to take on cases in the higher courts (eg. Court of Session and Sheriff Courts above Simple Procedure). We cannot refer to the FLSU in cases we are unable to undertake ourselves.
We can also provide advice in the following ways:
- Online Enquiries - this is done through our website and we aim to provide advice within 15 working days.
- Initial Advice Clinics - these are run at the University and remotely every fortnight on a Wednesday evening.
Please visit our website for more details www.lawclinic.org.uk
Survivors of Human Trafficking in Scotland
SOHTIS - Survivors of Human Trafficking in Scotland
SOHTIS is a third sector NGO which takes a human rights approach to ending human trafficking in Scotland. Our mission is: (i) to prevent, identify and recover victims of human trafficking, (ii) to encourage, enable and empower survivors as they rebuild their lives, and (iii) to advocate for the systemic changes needed to end the exploitation of trafficked people.
Email: enquiries@sohtis.org
The Advice Shop
The Advice Shop staff, the Welfare Rights Service and the Money Advice Team offer free confidential and impartial help and advice on a range of problems:-
- tax and pension credit
- disability and carers benefits
- housing benefit and Council Tax benefit
- money and debt problems
- rent and mortgage arrears and eviction or repossession
- universal credit
The Community Help & Advice Initiative (CHAI)
http://www.chaiedinburgh.org.uk/
CHAI (Community Help & Advice initiative) supports and empowers people and communities through free, confidential, impartial advice, information and representation on welfare benefits, money, housing, and employability. It operates from offices in the southwest of Edinburgh, conducting virtual and outreach appointments across Edinburgh and Midlothian (see https://chaiedinburgh.org.uk/where-we-work/).
The Royal Air Forces Association
The Royal Air Forces Association, 20 Queen Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1JX
Tel: 0131 225 5221
University of Dundee Law Clinic
University of Dundee Law Clinic | University of Dundee, UK
The UDLC delivers free legal services to members of the public whilst giving students the opportunity to undertake hands-on legal work for the benefit of the wider community. This service is provided by law students and other volunteers from the wider student body, supervised by qualified lawyers and university staff.
Email: UoDLawClinic@dundee.ac.uk
Telephone: 07387533198 (voicemail only)
Perth & Kinross Association of Voluntary Service Ltd (PKAVS)
PKAVS is a small charity with a big heart working tirelessly to improve lives and connect communities throughout Perth & Kinross. We help over 5,000 local people through our 5 hubs - Carers, Minority Communities, Third Sector & Volunteering, and Mental Health & Wellbeing.
Their charity is diverse, supporting people from many backgrounds, of all ages, and with vastly differing needs. We work alongside the NHS, local council, government, and voluntary bodies to help as many people as we can achieve their goals and recognise their potential.
They aim to achieve their purpose by providing person-centred support, working in partnership with local and national bodies, and connecting with, and across, the communities within Perth & Kinross.
PKAVS is a charity that traverses boundaries; serving individuals, families, groups, and organisations across Perth & Kinross – Enhancing Lives and Connecting Communities.
Main Office
The Gateway
North Methven Street
Perth
PH1 5PP
Tel: 01738 567076
Fax: 01738 452230