Location, Location, Location… the last 50 years

For five decades, we have stood strong as a beacon of support for our community, navigating countless challenges to provide essential legal services. Our journey began with centres in Balham, Battersea, and Wandsworth, but over the years, funding cuts forced closures and relocations. Despite these setbacks, we have repeatedly reopened, expanding into new locations like Tooting and Merton, each time stronger and more determined.

Every building we’ve operated from represents a chapter in our story of resilience. While the locations have changed, our mission and commitment has stayed the same.

In 2004, four law centres in Battersea, Croydon, Kingston and Tooting joined together to create South West London Law Centres. Since then our team has given vital legal advice to many 1000s of residents. Our current office spaces exist in Croydon, Merton and Wandsworth, but we continue to provide services across all six south-west London boroughs of Croydon, Merton, Kingston, Sutton, Richmond and Wandsworth.

We are now one of the largest Law Centres in the UK and a registered charity. For the last 50 years we have been providing advice and legal representation to local people who are without the means to pay for it. With the support of a network of over 400 pro bono lawyer volunteers and 40 members of staff, we work in the communities we serve, to alleviate poverty, speak for the most vulnerable and create a fairer society for all.

As we celebrate 50 years of service, we’re reminded that our strength lies not just in our history, but in our ability to adapt and continue. We are here to stay.

If you would like to help us continue our work, please consider making a special 50th anniversary donation here.