Useful links - legal advice
GENERAL
Rights of Women:
Rights of Women is committed to informing, educating and empowering women on the law and their legal rights. They run a free telephone legal advice line for women including a sexual violence legal advice line. They produce publications - including ones on domestic violence and the law, child contact, and for those who have experienced rape or sexual assault. 'From Report to Court' can be downloaded free from the website and is available in a number of languages.
National Centre for Domestic Violence: The NCDV can help you obtain an injunction to prevent further abuse from your partner. The services are free of charge, and the centre will refer you to an experienced solicitor who, if you are eligible, will arrange Community Legal Service funding, or will accept payments in stages if you have to pay your own fees.
The Association of Child Abuse Lawyers (ACAL): provides practical support for survivors and professionals working in the field of abuse. ACAL maintains a telephone help line and web site presence to sign-post survivors of abuse to lawyers who have the expertise and experience to assist them in obtaining the redress to which they are entitled.
Advicenow: brings together information on the law and rights from a wide range of advice and information services
Citizen's Advice Bureau
Children's Legal Centre: law and policy affecting children and young people
Community Legal Services: Provides information on legal advisors who have their quality mark, and gives advice on eligibility for CLS-funded services (civil legal aid). The CLS is part of the Legal Services Commission
CICA: Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority administer the Criminal Injuries Scheme, providing compensation for victims of violent crime
Law On The Web: Legal services
LawyerLocator: Comprehensive online search engine of law firms in the UK
The Law Society: Provides a list of solicitors in your area
Legal Services Commission: Administers the CLS and the Criminal Defence Service (replacing Legal Aid 2001)
Rape Crisis: Map and contact list of UK member groups: information, help, child abuse, legal procedures
UK Deed Poll: Information on how to change your name
Family Rights Group: advise parents whose children are involved with children's social care services.
DIVORCE
Divorce Aid: independent group of professionals
Divorce Online: professional site for divorce and separation issues
On Divorce: Independent, non-commercial site providing help and information for those going through divorce
Divorce Resource: lots of information about various aspects of divorce
Divorce Recovery Workshop: self help groups for people going through divorce
Inside Divorce: legal advice, help and support for divorce and marriage problems
Sharing Pensions, Site with free, independent advice on pensions after UK divorce
Wikivorce - divorce support community: Provides free information, support and advice to anyone going through divorce or separation.
BLACK & MINORITY ETHNIC GROUPS
Southall Black Sisters: Provides advice and information on domestic violence, racial harassment, welfare and immigration, primarily for Asian, African and African-Caribbean women. Casework primarily undertaken in London Borough of Ealing, but deals with enquiries on a national basis.
Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants: Advice, publications, lobbying, courses, etc.
Multikulti: Information, advice, guidance and learning materials in community languages
OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES
Witness Helpline 08454 500 300 open Mondays 4. 30 p.m. and Thursdays 10 a.m. – 12. 30 p.m. Training: 0207 922 7802; Admin: 0207 922 7799 - An organisation offering help and support for people who have been abused by healthcare workers, and also provides information, training and guidance on abuse issues. Email for information
If you have a link that you feel we should add to this page, please contact us.
