Project funding

We have a number of projects through which we are funded to provide clients who meet certain criteria with free legal advice. They are:

  • Big Lottery Advice Plus – we can provide free legal advice to any clients from a Black Minority Ethnic background who reside in one of the 33 London Boroughs on a wide range of issues.
  • Havering, Hounslow and Lambeth – we can provide free legal advice to any clients who live within these London Boroughs.
  • Equality and Human Rights Commission – we can provide free legal advice to any D/deaf and hard of hearing people in England and Wales on discrimination matters in the areas of employment, education, goods and services, and housing.

Legal Help

If you have a low income, you may be eligible for assistance from the Legal Services Commission to meet part or all of the cost of a case (Public Funding). This is dealt with by a government body called the Legal Services commission. This used to be called the Legal Aid Board.

Our BSL Webcam Project is funded by the Legal Services Commission, and if you are eligible for assistance, we can provide you with 2 hours free advice. If your case has merit, we can continue to advise you for the duration of the case.

Please note that we cannot provide representation in tribunal hearings or court under this funding stream.

We can act on a legal aid basis in cases in the following categories:

  • Welfare benefits;
  • Employment;
  • Housing; and
  • Debt.

Private client

Under this scheme we will provide you with an estimate of the total cost of your case. We can break this down and give you an estimate for the costs of each stage including both our fees and any disbursements. Disbursements are the costs we incur with other parties, for example court fees or expert fees. You will provide us with funds for all or an agreed proportion of this sum before we undertake any work on your behalf.

When we reach the agreed cost limit we will send you a detailed bill. If necessary, we will ask for additional funds before taking any further action.

If your case is a litigation matter it may be possible for you to recover these costs from your opponent if you win the case.

Conditional fees

In cases where there is a money claim, it is possible to enter into a Conditional Fee Arrangement with us. This means that we undertake to represent you on a “no win – no fee” basis. With a Conditional Fee Arrangement, you agree to pay us an additional fee if we are successful. This additional fee, “the success fee”, varies from case to case dependent upon our assessment of how likely you are to win and the length of time the case is likely to take to resolve. This additional fee will never be more than 100% of our basic costs. If you win your case we will recover the costs from the Defendant or their insurers.

We commonly use this scheme for employment cases.

If the case is lost you will not be responsible for any of our fees but you are likely to be responsible for paying your opponent’s costs and disbursements incurred. We always recommend clients insure against this eventuality and will assist you to find the right policy. We work closely with our selected insurers to find the right policy for you.

We assess whether or not take on cases on a Conditional Fee Arrangement on a case by case basis. Your case is put to a panel who decide whether we can take on your case.

Legal Expenses Insurance

Many household and motor insurance policies include cover for legal expenses. You may find that legal expenses is an item which is given to you with your credit card facility, your mortgage or membership of an organisation such as the RAC, your trade union or a professional association.

We suggest that you check your insurance policies before your first meeting with us.