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[[Our aims] [Foreward by the Chair] [The schedule] [Manager's report] [Staff & volunteers 2006/2007]
[Service detail guide - general advice] [Service detail guide - specialist advice] [Statistics]
Annual Report 2006/2007:
Service Detail Guide
Specialist Advice
The bureau's specialist services are generally available by referral and appointment; you can be referred either internally from our generalist services above or by one of our external partners. All our services, both general and specialist are free to clients however some are based on your financial eligibility for legal help. We would normally describe specialist services as ones where casework is carried out on behalf of the client, where a one-off visit to the general service would not be sufficient to resolve the problem.
Legal Advice Session
Local solicitor firms give their time freely to provide clients with a legal opinion on their problem.
Access
Clients must see a general adviser in the first instance, this is because 90% of the enquiries can be answered by our trained volunteers, and also you may need to see a solicitor to take up your issue in which case you will be signposted to the most suitable firms. Our Honary Legal advisers are only able to give a legal opinion, not carry out lengthy work for you.
Wednesday afternoons (subject to demand) by prior appointment at our main office.
Employment Tribunal Representation
The bureau has supported the Free Representation Unit (FRU) for many years. FRU is a registered charity that exists to provide representation at tribunals for clients unable to afford legal services and to educate and train students of law. The bureau can refer cases to FRU for employment, social security, criminal compensation board and immigration tribunals. Once a referral is made the bureau has no further responsibility for the conduct of the case nor is there any guarantee that the case will be picked up by a representative. See www.freerepresentationunit.org.uk
Access
If we are not already dealing with your employment case you need to attend at the main office, in order for a referral to be made you must have:
- A written confirmation of the hearing date
- A complete COPY of all papers (you must keep the originals)
Income of less than £50,000 p.a.
Specialist Advice - Debt
Our debt advice service is carried out under the Legal Help Scheme and the Financial Inclusion Fund. All casework is quality assured by the Legal Services Commission to the CLS specialist quality mark. We are the largest provider of free debt advice in the area and deal with all types of debt including council tax arrears, bankruptcy, bailiffs' action and court proceedings. We help to negotiate with creditors and with budgeting, whilst seeking income maximisation.
Access
Drop-in at any of our general advice sessions listed above.
You can also be referred from any of Thurrock Council's departments and local offices, Community Mental Health Team, Oasis, Open Door, SERICC, women's refuge, MIND and most other voluntary organisations. They can make you an appointment directly with a caseworker using our referral system.
Also drop-in at:
- Castle Point CAB
- Rochford & Rayleigh CAB
See www.citizensadvice.org.uk for their individual opening times and locations.
Specialist Advice - Welfare Benefits
Benefits casework includes submissions to tribunals for all social security issues and challenging decisions up to Commissioners including housing benefit and council tax benefit. This service is available to those eligible for legal help, see www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk/en/legalaid/calculator.jsp
Access
As for Debt (not available at Rochford & Rayleigh CAB)
Specialist Advice - Disability form completion
Help with the completion of applications for Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance is available on an appointment basis with our highly trained volunteers.
Access
Drop-in at any of our general advice sessions listed above. This is for an initial assessment of your eligibility for the benefit and to ensure appropriate information is gathered before you have your appointment at our main office.
Specialist Advice - Housing
The Housing Advice Service in partnership with Thurrock Council and the Legal Services Commission covers all aspects of housing law including owner occupier, local authority and social housing, private lets and threatened / actual eviction. We do not act on behalf of landlords.
Access
As for Debt (not available at Rochford & Rayleigh CAB)
You can also be referred directly to a caseworker by the housing and homelessness departments of Thurrock Council and through their local housing offices.
Thurrock CAB Annual Report 2006/2007
 Download the full annual report 2006/2007 (PDF 505kB)
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