Stephensons Solicitors LLP Launches Pro Bono Unit for Welfare Advice

http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel....3#.UiX1JjbIXBv

[enaid]

Re: Stephensons Solicitors LLP Launches Pro Bono Unit for Welfare Advice

In the aftermath of cuts to legal aid, UK based Stephensons Solicitors LLP launch Pro Bono Unit to provide welfare advice to those who have been affected.
Stephensons Solicitors LLP, one of the largest legal firms in the UK, has launched an all new welfare Pro Bono Unit in response to recent cuts to legal aid.
The Pro Bono Unit will provide welfare advice to persons affected by the removal of legal aid and help those with the most difficult and challenging welfare benefits cases to understand the various aspects of the welfare service.
The law firm will offer free legal advice as part of their ongoing commitment to provide access to justice for anybody who requires it.
Liam Waine, partner at Stephensons, said: “The Government’s decision to take away legal aid for the majority of welfare benefits advice has left a whole section of our community, mainly the poor and vulnerable, feeling abandoned and without recourse to advice.
“The removal of legal aid also coincided with the introduction of Universal Credit and changes to housing benefit, which means that some people will no longer get the level of help that they are used to.
“Stephensons helped to pioneer legal advice in the welfare benefits field almost 30 years ago and since then we have assisted thousands of benefit claimants to get the state benefits that they are entitled to. We don’t feel it is right that people in need are left without assistance and we hope our decision will help at least some of those with particularly difficult cases, to get the financial help they are entitled to.”
The all new Pro Bono Unit will be managed and overseen by Ngaryan Li, a qualified solicitor with years of experience with welfare benefits appeals and the various intricacies of this area of the law. Li will also help Stephensons clients who may require welfare benefits advice as part of their ongoing disputes including those who have been injured in an accident and are no longer able to work.
Waine added: “Unfortunately, as a business, we cannot afford to offer free advice to all the many thousands of people who need it and we are seeking to concentrate the resources on difficult cases where particularly vulnerable clients face major legal problems.”
Difficult cases which the Pro Bono Unit will assist in are extremely varied. In one instance the firm helped a woman regain her benefits after it was alleged that her husband had been living at their property when he had in fact been visiting and caring for their disabled son. Another client won welfare benefits on appeal after being refused Disability Living Allowance despite the fact that a skin condition left him unable to go outside into the sun.
The Stephensons’ Pro Bono Unit will help clients from all over the country and where pro bono advice cannot be offered, potential clients will be given the option to speak with a solicitor on a fixed fee basis.
For more information, visit the Stephensons Solicitors website today.

[TUTTSI]

Re: Stephensons Solicitors LLP Launches Pro Bono Unit for Welfare Advice

It would be really helpful if this information could be put somewhere on main forum together with other useful addresses /phone numbers like shelter and CAB etc as this could help a lot of people.

[Celestine]

Re: Stephensons Solicitors LLP Launches Pro Bono Unit for Welfare Advice

Can I just say a hearty CHEERS to Stephensons for setting up such a desperately needed resource.

I saw this stat yesterday.
ESA/DLA Appeals following ATOS 'assessors' hurling vulnerable people off benefits.

40% are overturned upon Appeal.

RISING to 70% with professional representation.

[enaid]

Re: Stephensons Solicitors LLP Launches Pro Bono Unit for Welfare Advice

Lets hope more firms follow suit, it's a crime in itself that we can't get a decent defence unless we have a decent purse.

[Angry Cat]

Re: Stephensons Solicitors LLP Launches Pro Bono Unit for Welfare Advice

Excellent News; one tips ones hat to Stephensons LLP!

[sofedup]

Re: Stephensons Solicitors LLP Launches Pro Bono Unit for Welfare Advice

http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel....3#.UiX1JjbIXBv

They no longer offer this service but can offer a range of fixed fee consultations.

[Angry Cat]

Re: Stephensons Solicitors LLP Launches Pro Bono Unit for Welfare Advice

Well, they helped me with my cases against:
Morgan Stanley;
MBNA and;
the Rotten EGG.

So hats off to them and Bradley Say!

[Amethyst]

Re: Stephensons Solicitors LLP Launches Pro Bono Unit for Welfare Advice

They no longer offer this service but can offer a range of fixed fee consultations.

They launched the service at the end of August and it is still running - however....

They have put on the page

'If pro-bono advice cannot be offered, clients will be given the option to instruct a solicitor in the team on a fixed fee basis.''

- fees and 'jobs' can be found http://www.stephensons.co.uk/site/le...fare_services/

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Unfortunately, due to capacity we currently not able to assist with the following cases on a Pro Bono basis:

• Employment and Support Allowance appeals where there has been a failed medical assessment.
• Employment and Support Allowance appeals where you are seeking to appeal to be placed in the support group.
• Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance entitlement appeals.
• Personal Independence Payment entitlement appeals.
• Job Seekers Allowance sanction appeals.
• Backdate of benefit appeals.
• Applications for benefits (excluding Universal Credits).
• Social fund/local assistance reviews.
• Appeals against sanctions on Employment and Support Allowance.
• Completion of claim forms.

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Our welfare team understand that in the current financial climate the prospect of paying hourly rates or uncapped fees is unappealing or unaffordable. In response to demand for this type of service our experienced is offering fixed price welfare advice for just £49.95. Included in this price is 30 minutes of telephone or face to face advice with a specialist welfare solicitor.

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I'm pretty sure there's a number of firms who offer FREE half hour consultations.