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.

It takes many different skills to keep Central England Law Centre going. Maybe you're an experienced lawyer, just starting out in your legal career, an admin whizz, a techie, a PR guru, a photographer or a fundraising expert.

Get in touch to see how you can use your skills to help us.

Volunteer opportunities range from short term student placements to volunteers who have been with us for many years. We will always respond to your enquiry but we may not have an opportunity available or the capacity to welcome you at this time.

We provide the following support to our volunteers:

A full induction and training programme.
Out of pocket expenses (up to a set limit), including, travel/car parking.
Practical experience and understanding of the Law Centre and its services

University student placements

In partnership with the Law schools at Coventry University, University of Warwick, Birmingham University and Birmingham City University, we provide placements for students who support our community legal advice clinics in immigration and asylum, employment and welfare benefits.

Volunteers learn to take instructions, undertake casework and effectively communicate with clients.

If you are a law student at one of these universities, make enquiries through your law school.

Trustees

Central England Law Centre is seeking to recruit three new trustees to join our high-calibre Board and executive team in developing and executing the organisation’s strategy.

Strong governance, finance expertise and local knowledge is essential for our mission and so we are looking for trustees who can provide this to help us reach the organisation’s fullest potential. We believe that our strategy and reach can be developed and expanded even further with the right guidance and so we are looking to build on the skills and experience of our well-established Board of Trustees.

To find out more, see Work for Us.

Pro bono lawyers supporting Kids in Need of Defence UK

We support pro bono lawyers so that they can take on a case from start to finish. That means that our pro bono lawyers help a child, young person or their parent prepare and submit an application for citizenship or permission to reside in the UK.

None of our pro bono lawyers are immigration specialists, which is why we provide training and close supervision throughout the process. Our supervising lawyers come to your office so that you can fit your pro bono work around your job.

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.

Work for us

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

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