Our impact

“When I first contacted you it was like someone turned on a light for me

Every day we help people in Coventry and Birmingham to know their legal rights and have them upheld. We change their lives and change society to make it fairer for all.

Getting your disability related welfare benefits reinstated, clearing your debts so you can start again, staying in your home when you have been threatened with eviction. Securing leave to remain in the UK for you and your family. Getting a non-molestation order to protect you from your violent partner, having your voice heard in care proceedings so that your child will be placed within your family and getting the right care package for your disabled child.

This is the power of legal advice and representation. In partnership, our work increases early action, prevents homelesness, gives people a voice, empowers women and helps tackle poverty.

Awards

‘Best Firm or Not for Profit’ at the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards 2016.

Coventry Community Cohesion Award 2016

In numbers

In 2017/18.

6500 people received specialist advice and representation.
Success in 85% of all appeals we represented for people applying for Personal Independence Payments.
270 families helped to stay in their home or be re housed.
£2 million obtained in welfare benefits, support costs, housing costs for the most disadvantaged.

In 2016 we celebrated 40 years of operation, read about our achievements here.

Play a part in what we achieve

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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.
Asylum and Immigration Law

Legal advice and representation to people seeking to regularise their immigration status.
Child and Family Law

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

Every day we help people in Coventry and Birmingham to know their legal rights and have them upheld. We change their lives and change society to make it fairer for all.

Awards

In numbers

Read more

Play a part in what we achieve