The first law centres in south-west London were founded in 1974, by local people with a shared vision that everyone should have access to legal advice and justice – regardless of income.
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.
Sadly during the last decade, it’s become more difficult for people on low incomes to access legal advice when they need it most.
The impact of The Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 means that, since 2013, legal aid is no longer available in a number of areas of law – and even then is restricted to people on the very lowest incomes.
Without law centres like ours, these changes leave many people in our communities at risk of being locked out of legal advice and justice, simply because they can’t afford a lawyer.
We’re incredibly grateful to our supporters, volunteers, funders and sponsors whose generosity means we’re able to help local people get justice at some of the most difficult times in life. Thank you.
Who we are
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.
More than ever, families and individuals need our help. Problems are complex, often not confined to a single area of law. Civil legal aid fees have not been increased for 28 years. Providers of legal aid have decreased by 59% over the last 10 years, drastically reducing access to justice for the poorest members of society. Law Centres all over the country have been closing due to lack of funding, but they have never been so needed.
Our values
Social justice: raising awareness of equal human and legal rights, pursuing test cases and influencing social policy through campaigning
Dignity and respect for all
Independence: free to champion the rights of the most disadvantaged
Our vision and mission
Our vision
Our vision is to see a future where people who cannot afford a lawyer:
- Have equal access to law in order to assert and enforce their rights
- Are empowered to engage and benefit from everything that a healthy society has to offer
- Are treated equally and with dignity and respect
Our mission
- Fight injustice, inequality and poverty
- Stand up for the most vulnerable and marginalised who would otherwise have no access to the law or legal remedies, stretching our geographical reach when needed.
- Help and empower people in understanding and enforcing their rights
- Work with and within our communities campaigning for social justice and equality.
Ata a glance …
50
years helping local people get justice
6,663
people helped in 2021/22
£1.5m
of free legal advice given per year
Get involved
Funders & sponsors
We couldn’t do what we do without our funders and sponsors, whose generous partnership enables us to have a life-changing impact in our community.
Give now
Your gift today could help someone get the justice they need, when they need it most.
Volunteer – pro bono
Our dedicated volunteer lawyers share their time and expertise with local people, so that everyone can have equal access to justice and can defend their rights.
Our impact
Every year we support around 7,000 people across south-west London to understand and defend their rights.
Without the legal advice our charity provides, many local people would be locked out of getting justice because they can’t afford a lawyer.