Agencies offering free support and advice in Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset, Somerset and Gloucestershire
At Court:
Personal Support Unit
Located at the CJC in Bristol. They provide a range of help and support (They do not give legal advice). This includes: providing information and support; helping people access free legal advice; discussing settling issues without going to court; explaining how the courts work; help in filling in court forms and organising court papers; help planning what to say in court; accompanying you into court and taking notes and help afterwards.
Drop-in service between 9.30- 4.30 Monday – Friday.
Call 0117 366 4809 to make an appointment in advance if possible byThey do not provide advice over the phone.
LIP Service – for Bristol CJC
Students from the universities in Bristol hold information sessions where they explain about the court procedure, what you can expect in court and what you need to do in preparation for a court hearing, you will also be given a tour of the court. Meetings for Civil claimants happen on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month and for Defendants (Civil) 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month. Both between 1-2pm.
Call 01483 216 571 for more details and to book a place
Employment
If you are a Bristol (in the city council area) resident and you have an employment claim that involves discrimination that needs to be taken forward, it may be referred to the Employment Team at Avon and Bristol Law Centre.
www.ablc.org.uk
If you are a BANES resident, it is also possible to contact the Law Centre, as it can deal with a few cases annually.
For Employment advice on other matters (that may not be being covered at the tribunal) for Bristol, S Glos and BANES residents you can telephone the Employment Advice Line at ABLC on 0117 916 7727 between 4-6 every Tuesday.
For Bristol (through the Law Centre), North Somerset (through the CAB at Weston Super Mare), South Somerset (through the CAB at Yeovil) you can book a 45 minute appointment with a volunteer (pro-bono) lawyer – this will be delivered face to face in Bristol and from Bristol through Skype to CAB offices.
Citizens Advice have offices across the region in Bristol, BANES, Bridgwater, Coleford, Gloucester, Mendip, Taunton, West Somerset (Minehead), South Somerset (Yeovil), North Somerset (Weston Super Mare), South Gloucestershire and Stroud. Most of these agencies will provide outreach sessions in different locations, and they are all open at different time during the week.
For information on how to contact a CAB it is suggested that you should Google Citizens Advice Gloucestershire or Somerset and you can then search for the nearest location to where you live.
Call 0344 411 1444 for Citizens Advice Bristol
Avon and Bristol Law Centre
The Law Centre provides advice and casework in Discrimination (Bristol) and Employment (see above), Young People Advocacy (Bristol and surrounding area). The Law Centre does not cover generalist welfare benefits and does not cover debt work.The Law Centre does not represent employers.
Call 0117 924 8662
Other advice agencies in Bristol:
All the agencies below will offer outreach clinics in various areas of Bristol, so it is worth checking the one nearest to you.
St Pauls Advice Centre. (Based in St Pauls, Covering St Pauls and East Bristol). Covering advice only in employment.