What We Do

Providing:

• leaflets or web-based resources with information about rights and entitlement;
• access to information which will enable the client to take action to resolve the issue themselves, such as online resources and ‘how to’ guides;
• signposting: information and contact details for both national and local services and agencies who may be able to provide further sources of help or advice.

Responsibility for taking any further action rests with the client.

A service that involves:

• giving information and explaining options;
• in-depth diagnosis of the client’s enquiry and the legal issues involved and gathering information to pass on to an in-house advisor or an external agency, with the client’s consent (referral);
• identifying further action the client can take;
• practical support and assistance: e.g., contacting third parties to seek information; filling in forms.

Examples include: Help filling in benefit or tax credit forms, assistance with sorting out debt problems, and advising on immigration rights.

Responsibility for taking any further action rests with the client.

Where a referral is offered, the adviser is responsible for obtaining the client’s consent and making the referral.

A service that involves taking action on behalf of the client to move the case on, for example:

• negotiating with third parties on the telephone, by letter or face-to-face;
• assisting the client in challenging decisions when rights in social welfare law have been refused and/or when a social care, health or educational service has been denied, including gathering additional evidence, seeking a review of a decision (by telephone or letter), or preparing and submitting appeal documents.

The advice provider takes responsibility for following through with the case and assessing and advising the client on the merits (likely outcome) of the case, as well as referring the client to another agency, with the client’s consent.

The presentation of complex legal arguments, including:

• acting for and representing a client at court and tribunal hearings, e.g. preparing and presenting written and oral submissions at hearings at Employment Tribunals, Social Security Appeal Tribunals, County Court and High Court;
• preparing applications to a higher court or tribunal (e.g. judicial review) and preparing arguments to develop the case using relevant case law, guidance and statute;
• calling on expert evidence and instructing other experts, such as barristers, for representation at hearings;
• negotiating with the other side to a dispute or with relevant third parties in complex matters.

The advice provider takes responsibility for following through with the case and assessing and advising the client on the merits (likely outcome) of the case.