Legal Advocacy and Representation
She was so understanding and kind. She did not only build a good case, but also she followed up and supported the case and myself all throughout…I would highly recommend this service. I could not have asked for a better law firm. I felt very comfortable with them. Thank you for all your support!”
What free legal aid do you provide?
As well as our free legal advice clinics, we provide a free legal advocacy service for individuals who need help accessing their legal rights and entitlements. Additionally we offer representation including court and tribunal representation in areas of law not catered for by the Civil Legal Aid Scheme.
A particular emphasis is placed on providing free legal aid in public interest cases in the areas of debt, employment, equality, housing, social welfare and accessing services such as health and education. Cases in other areas, such as criminal law and family law, are referred to state legal aid and other services.
What’s the difference between legal advocacy and legal representation?
Our advocacy service assists individuals in accessing their legal rights and entitlements e.g. through phone calls and letter writing. The representation service includes representing clients before courts, such as the High Court, and tribunals, such as the Workplace Relations Commission and the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
Do you provide free legal advocacy to everyone?
Given the limits on our resources, it is not always possible to provide free legal advocacy for all those who require it and the following factors are taken into consideration:
1. Priority areas fall within our areas of work: housing law, debt law, employment law, equality law, social welfare law, child law and access to education and other services. Within these areas, CLM’s legal team has identified certain priorities which are kept under regular review.
2. Strategic importance: Cases with the potential to benefit a wider group such as an area of law which has not been adequately developed or opportunities for legal innovation.
3. Urgency/Impact: Is the matter urgent or is the issue having a serious impact on the applicant?
4. Merits: Is the case likely to be successful?
5. Availability of other services: Are there other information, advice and representation services which the applicant can avail of?
6. Resources/Capacity: Having regard to existing workload and the likely work and resources required to progress the case, does CLM have the capacity and resources to open the file?
For further information, please contact us via phone on 01 847 7804 or email info@communitylawandmediation.ie