Expert articles

Our caseworkers have put together a number of Q&A articles addressing some of the most common themes and questions our clients bring. Please click on the links below to read more.

This page is updated on a regular basis so do check back or contact us to see if we can help.

14 December 2022

Understanding your rights – discrimination

If you’ve been discriminated against at work, we can help you uphold and defend your rights through our legal aid discrimination contract. Ash O’Keeffe, our employment and discrimination caseworker, answers…

14 September 2022

What is Money Advice?

The thought of getting Money Advice can sound strange. Can I trust someone to look into my finances? How could a stranger even do anything about my debts? The current…

16 June 2022

Understanding your rights – taking time off work for stress

The rates of work-related stress have risen sharply in recent years. Our employment team can help you understand the underlying causes and help get you back to work if you’ve…

23 March 2022

Preparing for the cost of living increase

The cost of living is going up for all of us. Roni Marsh, money advice team leader, explains what this means in reality and shares some steps that everyone can…

17 February 2022

Employment status – why it matters

If you work in the gig economy, you may not be sure whether you’re classed as an employee, a worker or self-employed. Lance Baynham, our discrimination caseworker, explains the key…

1 February 2022

Need legal advice? Our free advice clinics offer a solution

Many problems have legal solutions but without legal knowledge, the law can be difficult to navigate. George, a volunteer lawyer at our legal advice clinics, explains how the one-off advice…

3 November 2021

Pro Bono Week: find out more about our free legal advice clinics

It’s Pro Bono Week and we are celebrating the lawyers who donate their time to provide free legal advice to members of our community who may not be able to…

5 August 2021

Discretionary Housing Payments – am I eligible?

If you’re struggling with your housing costs, you may be able to get a Discretionary Housing Payment from your local authority. Maha Khurram from our crisis navigation team explains what…

1 July 2021

EU Settlement Scheme: have you missed the deadline?

The United Kingdom officially left the EU on 31 January 2020. The EU Settlement Scheme was created by the Home Office to offer EU, non-EU, EEA and Swiss citizens living…

30 June 2021

Getting ‘breathing space’ from your debts

If you’re struggling to pay your debts when they become due, you may be eligible for the ‘breathing space’ scheme. Roni Marsh, Money Advice Team leader, explains how it works….

27 May 2021

Temporary ban on evictions ends on 31 May 2021

In December 2020 the Government introduced a temporary ban on evictions which was subsequently extended to 31 May 2021. The eviction ban effectively stopped county court bailiffs from carrying out…

17 March 2021

Introducing the Law Centre’s new Crisis Navigation service

The Coronavirus pandemic has left many people with reduced income. If you’re struggling to pay your essential bills and your home may be at risk as a result, the Law…

16 March 2021

What you should know if you’re contacted by enforcement agents (‘bailiffs’)

Many people find the word ‘bailiff’ very frightening, and it can be stressful and upsetting to be contacted by bailiffs. We spoke to Roni Marsh, our Money Advice Team Leader,…

3 February 2021

The hidden dangers of ‘buy now pay later’ deals

The use of ‘buy now pay later’ deals, offered by companies such as Klarna, Clearpay, and LayBuy, has grown enormously over the past year, particularly with younger shoppers. However, despite…

19 January 2021

Problems at work? We’re here to help

We are delighted to be expanding our employment advice with the recruitment of our new discrimination caseworker. Lance Baynham joined our team this month, although he is not new to…

9 December 2020

Insolvency – is it always the last resort?

Declaring yourself bankrupt is seen as a last resort for many. Eva van der Spek, money advice caseworker at the Law Centre, explains why insolvency, despite the negative stigma, can…

12 November 2020

Providing a lifeline – the court duty scheme

With the stay on evictions having been lifted in September, the courts are again listing possession cases, initially for review by a judge and subsequently for final substantive hearings where…

11 November 2020

Coronavirus – accessing the financial support you need

Coronavirus has left many households struggling to make ends meet, including those who were previously financially secure. Back in March the Chancellor Rishi Sunak vowed to do ‘whatever it takes’…

9 November 2020

Talk Money Week

It’s Talk Money Week and Roni Marsh, Debt Team Leader at the Law Centre, explains the importance of breaking the taboo and starting a conversation about money. Why is it…

21 October 2020

Help! My debts are spiralling out of control…

With the coronavirus pandemic impacting many people’s income, rising unemployment rates and average household debt of £60,403 (The Money Charity), it is no wonder that more and more people are…

If you need advice on a specific problem, please go to our advice checker to see if we can help.