You can now book our free legal advice clinics through our website. Once you submit your form, we will be in touch within 48 hours to book you into the free legal advice clinic which applies to your query.
Please click whether you are in Limerick or Dublin (including areas outside of Dublin) to be directed to the booking form.
Our free legal advice consultation service is open to everyone. We provide free legal advice in Ireland in the areas of employment, social welfare, housing, family, child law and environmental justice. General queries are also welcome. So if you are having problems accessing your social welfare entitlements, if you are experiencing problems in the workplace, or if you are afraid of losing your home, we are here to help.
This course gives a basic understanding of the Irish legal system and family law in relation to advocacy in Ireland. Learners will develop an awareness of the main features of family law and understand how legislation impacts on relationship while becoming familiar with the legal language, procedures, and court documents relevant to the family law area. Learners will develop their advocacy skills and the ability to apply what they have learned to the workplace. This course will cover any new legislation regarding family law in Ireland.
Participants who successfully complete this course will be able to:
Outline definitions of family to include those in Irish Legislation
Identify the functions of the Irish Courts in relation to families
Outline the rights, entitlements, services and supports available to families
Discuss current issues in relation to rights, entitlements, services and supports available to families.
Research information relevant to families to include rights entitlements and available supports.
Payment The cost of this course is €650.00 to be paid in full before the course commences (10% discount for CLM Members).
Trainers and Accreditation This course is run by Community Law & Mediation & Ballymun Community Law Centre. This course is QQI accredited in conjunction with Irish National Organisation of the Unemployment (provider code 380460).
Location This course will take place in in The Horizons Centre, Balcurris Road, Ballymun.
Date & Times This course will run on a Monday for 12 weeks starting on Monday 6 March 2023 from 10am to 2pm each week.
This course gives a basic understanding of the Irish legal system and family law in relation to advocacy in Ireland. Learners will develop an awareness of the main features of family law and understand how legislation impacts on relationship while becoming familiar with the legal language, procedures, and court documents relevant to the family law area. Learners will develop their advocacy skills and the ability to apply what they have learned to the workplace. This course will cover any new legislation regarding family law in Ireland.
Participants who successfully complete this course will be able to:
Outline definitions of family to include those in Irish Legislation
Identify the functions of the Irish Courts in relation to families
Outline the rights, entitlements, services and supports available to families
Discuss current issues in relation to rights, entitlements, services and supports available to families.
Research information relevant to families to include rights entitlements and available supports.
Payment The cost of this course is €650.00 to be paid in full before the course commences (10% discount for CLM Members).
Trainers and Accreditation This course is run by Community Law & Mediation & Ballymun Community Law Centre. This course is QQI accredited in conjunction with Irish National Organisation of the Unemployment (provider code 380460).
Location This course will take place in The Horizons Centre, Balcurris Road, Ballymun.
Date & Times This course will run on a Monday for 12 weeks starting on Monday 6 March 2023 from 10am to 2pm each week.
We are calling for substantial reforms ensure the most vulnerable and marginalised in our society can vindicate their rights and challenge discrimination in areas that are critical to social inclusion but currently excluded from the Scheme, such as employment, equality, housing and social welfare.
What is Civil Legal Aid?
Civil legal aid means representation by a barrister or solicitor in civil proceedings in court or before the International Protection Appeals Tribunal, in addition to the preparatory work this entails.
Why have we made a submission on the review of the civil legal aid scheme?
CLM’s history is closely interlinked with the movement for civil legal aid in Ireland. Previously Coolock Community Law Centre, CLM was established in Coolock in 1975 as the first independent, community-based law centre in Ireland. It was modelled on the American neighbourhood law centre (now known in Ireland as the community law centre model) and its purpose initially was to serve as a prototype law centre and campaign tool in the movement for civil legal aid.
This model has a number of important characteristics. Services are free of charge, making them as accessible as possible; community education – creating an awareness of rights and the law – is a critical part of the work; and a focus on law reform ensures that the issues being raised in our services inform and influence change in policy and legislation.
The Pringle Report to Government in 1977 recommended a similarly expanded system of civil legal aid, including public information and education services on legal rights as well as representation for all types of civil proceedings.
Despite the fact that the Civil Legal Aid Scheme (“the Scheme”), introduced in 1979, saw the establishment of a different and more limited model under the Legal Aid Board, CLM has continued to grow and expand its services, working to remove barriers to the law on the basis that all people should be able to access basic legal information and advice regardless of their income and background. It continues to work to identify and unlock the legalities, regulations, policies, and procedures that manifest as barriers and obstacles to a fair and better life for all individuals in the community.
What are our key recommendations for the review of the Civil Legal Aid Scheme?
CLM are calling for reforms to ensure the most vulnerable and marginalised in our society can vindicate their rights and challenge discrimination in areas that are critical to social inclusion but currently excluded from the Scheme, such as employment, equality, housing and social welfare.
Our key recommendations include:
Changes to the eligibility thresholds to qualify for legal aid and advice, and changes to the allowances against income to reflect the reality of the cost of living.
Expansion of the Civil Legal Aid Scheme to areas of law which are currently excluded such as: employment and equality matters, housing-related matters, environmental matters, social welfare appeals and children’s rights.
Restructuring of the Scheme in line with the community law centre model to include public information and education services – creating an awareness of rights and the law – and a policy and law reform function.
Read our review of the Civil Legal Aid Scheme submission:
Community Law and Mediation Limerick is an independent law and mediation centre which provides free legal information, advice, advocacy and representation in the following areas of law:
Housing Issues
Social Welfare
Debt
Consumer Issues
Employment
Family Law (advice only)
Access to Education
Equality
Homelessness
Environmental Justice
Place
Date
Time
Our Lady of Lourdes Community Centre Ballinacurra Weston
Weds 8th February(Please note change of day)
10.30am – 12.30pm
Southill HUB Community Centre
Weds 15th February
10.30am – 12.30pm
Moyross Community Centre
Tues 21st February
10.30am – 12.30pm
St Mary’s Alms HouseNicholas St Limerick
Tues 28th February
10.30am – 12.30pm
The service is free and available to people living in the regeneration areas & to residents of other disadvantaged areas within Limerick City. To book, you can contact us on the information below.
