CLS  provides a range of services covering direct delivery of advice to members of the public through casework and telephone advice, representation at court, financial literacy and education,  consultancy, information, training and support services.

Lay Advocacy Service:

CLS operates a Lay Advocacy Service at Leicester County Court.  This service is primarily concerned with assisting unrepresented defendants in county court debt actions.  The range of matters dealt with are broad, but the work is predominantly related to defending possession actions.  An adviser is available at the Leicester County Court, Wellington Street, Leicester, five days a week, between 10-00am and 1-00pm and 2-00pm to 4-00pm.   We have a centrally situated office within the court building.

Case Work Service:

In the circumstances where a client has complex debt problems or is unable to deal with their creditors without the help of an advocate, that client will be offered an appointment within the casework service operated by LMA.  This allows longer-term help to be given in dealing with debt problems.

Clients who make use of our casework service are usually:

People who have attended court and have been seen by our Lay advocacy service but need support additional to the immediate help they received at court.

People who make use of our Debtline service but for various reasonswould not be best served by issuing self-help material.

People referred by other agencies where the debt problems are too complex to be dealt with either by that agency or by way of a self-help pack.

Appointments are arranged primarily for clients to be seen at Epic House, Leicester.  However, where there is disability, illness or other reason why a person is unable to attend the office for interview, a home visit can be arranged.

Outreach Project:

We operate a number of outreach sessions in the city which deliver money advice casework services at General Help plus Casework level.  For further information please see our 'advice services in your area' page.  Where complex matters are identified or where representation is required, cases are referred to our core specialist service.  

Mental Health Project:

CLS provides a dedicated money advice service to people with mental ill health.  Referrals to this service are primarily through mental health services. 

Consultancy and support:

Workers in other agencies, dealing with someone in debt, may find that they have come to a difficult or problematic stage in the process.  Through this service they have access to our experienced advisers.  A dedicated telephone line ensures, as far as possible, easier access to the service.  The initial aim of this service is for consultation, advice and support to be offered that will enable the worker to continue to deal with the case.  However, where it is deemed reasonable, a referral can be taken for further work to be undertaken by CLS. 

Training and Information:

Training and information are an important aspect of CLS’s work.  Courses are prepared to meet the specific requirements of various agencies and organisations requesting training.  This service is restricted due to the resource limitations of The Community Law Service. 

Financial Literacy & Education Project:

CLS is able to develop and deliver financial education to a range of audiences within different settings including in schools and colleges and other organisations.

Social Policy Work:

Through its wide experience CLS is well placed to comment on changes in legislation where it will impact on people in debt and seeks to influence social policy across a range of issues.  CLS will submit comment on proposed changes to welfare benefits, consumer credit legislation and county court practice either directly or through co-operation with other local or national bodies. 

Discrimination Project: 
The Community Law Service are currently involved in a Discrimination Project funded by EHRC (Equalities and Human Rights Commission) to undertake casework in discrimination cases in both Employment and Goods and Services across all strands of Discrimination Leghislation - Disability, Race, Age, Sex, Religion and Belief and Sexual Orientation. This project began during July 2008 and is funded for 12 months. Working with us on this project is an Advisory Group drawn from local agencies dealing with specific client groups. Current members include Mosaic, Leicester LGBT, Connexions, Age Concern, West Leicestershire MIND, LAMP and REC.