Funding

The work we do is only possible because of the support we receive from a wide range of partners and supporters.

Through grants, contracts for services, donations and in-kind (pro bono) support we offer our services free of charge. We prioritise people who would otherwise be unable to access legal advice and support. For full details of our source of income see our annual accounts.

Our main sources of income are:

Legal Aid Agency contracts in Housing and Debt, Asylum, Community Care, Public Law and Family Law.

For more information see individual service pages:

Coventry

Birmingham

Coventry City Council grant provided under their support to Advice Services in the city funds our core costs in Coventry. This enables us to undertake legal casework and one-off advice not funded by legal aid (including Welfare Benefits appeals, Immigration and Employment cases) and to use our legal expertise to support other organisations in the city who work with vulnerable people.

Central Government or European Union funded partnership projects i.e. MiFriendly Cities, a project to support the integration of migrants in the west midlands region.

Contracts to provide services to the customers or service users of other organisations Whitefriars Housing, Anchor Medical Centre, SIFA Fireside and Hodge Hill Hub.

Grant funding from trust funds and foundations to deliver projects providing legal advice and legal education in the community and capacity building for partner organisations. The Oak Foundation, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Unbound Philanthropy, The Legal Education Foundation, The Baring Foundation, Barrow Cadbury, Comic Relief, Big Lottery, Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and The Smallwood Trust.

Local universities: Coventry University, Birmingham City University and The University of Warwick partnering with us to train and supervise students. They undertake practical placements and increase our capacity to deliver one off advice.

The private sector i.e. Microsoft and Coventry Building Society, along with donations from commercial legal firms.

In-kind or pro bono help including time given to us by our committed volunteers.

Latest

Benefits for EEA Nationals - Birmingham - both dates must be attended

Note this comprises 2 half days - Friday 12th July, 9.30am to 1pm and Wednesday 17th July 2019, 1.30pm to 5pm. This course looks at the rules regarding benefits for EEA nationals – we will consider residence rules, including the Habitual Residence Test and Right to Reside Rules. We will also consider derivative rights and family membership and offer practical tips on making a successful benefit claim. Only £90.00 plus VAT per person for both sessions.
Challenging Decisions - Birmingham

Led by a welfare benefits legal advisor, this course will examine the way that welfare benefit decisions may be challenged. We will consider the process of challenging a benefit decision, considering a Mandatory Reconsideration initially and also how to lodge and prepare for an appeal at the First Tier Tribunal. Only £45.00 plus VAT per person
ESA and Work Capability Assessments - Coventry

Led by a Welfare Benefits Legal Advisor, this course will provide an introduction to ESA including New Style ESA. The course will also look in details at the work capability assessment process used in both ESA and UC. We will look at the points system and tactics to maximise the chances of a successful outcome to an ESA assessment. Only £45+vat per person.
Maximising Income for people on Universal Credit Training - Coventry

Led by a Welfare Benefits legal advisor, this course will look at how people on Universal Credit can maximise their income. We will examine key routes for doing this and when you can challenge decisions to achieve this. You will obtain top tips and information you can use from day 1 to support your clients to make Universal Credit work for them. Only £45+vat per person.

Contact Us
Who we help

We provide free legal advice to those most in need and use legal processes to fight social exclusion.
Work for us

Join our team and be part of a cutting edge team using the law to fight social exclusion in society.
Volunteer

The Law Centre is a resource for the whole community and we rely on our amazing team of volunteers help us reach more people with our services.
Our Vision

We want to live in a society where people’s rights are upheld, their needs met and they are enabled to thrive. We are the largest Law Centre in the UK. We provide free specialist legal advice to people across central England.
Child and Family Law

Following the breakdown of a relationship, we provide advice and representation on all aspects of family and childcare law.
Asylum and Immigration Law

Legal advice and representation to people seeking to regularise their immigration status.
Funding

The work we do is only possible because of the support we receive from a wide range of partners and supporters.
Our history

The national Law Centre movement was started in the 1970s by radical lawyers who were disappointed in the failure of the welfare state to eradicate poverty and deliver a more equal society. Coventry Law Centre was founded in 1976 by four Councillors: Tom McLatchie, Gilbert Richards, Arthur Waugh Senior and Charles Ward. Coventry City Council has been a key supporter of our work ever since.
Chief Executive - Sue Bent