By Sammie Jones-
A law centre which previously provided legal advice and support to individuals who could not afford to hire solicitors and barristers is on the verge of closure.
South London Law Centre previously received over 60,000 calls for assistance, hitting over one million hits on its website last year.
South West London Law Centres faced potential insolvency and closure in 2008, and is now practically on its way out. The latest report, from one of London’s most respect law centre’s presented a disturbing conclusion at their annual meeting last night.
The chair and CEO’s report states: ‘Last year was a particularly difficult one for the law centre, as we struggled financially and were on the verge of facing closure again. The law centre took the difficult decision to downsize our operations in Kingston, our least profitable office. We are grateful for the temporary contract from Kingston Council which allowed us to co-locate with Kingston Churches Action on Housing whilst we searched for further funding to support our work in Kingston.’
The centre covers Wandsworth, Merton, Croydon, Kingston-upon-Thames, Richmond-upon-Thames and Sutton. The report states that the centre directly helped 8,098 people: ‘The numbers contacting the law centre continue to grow as does the demand for our pro bono clinics, where we now have to turn people away as there are more than we can see.’
Last night’s meeting was told that the centre received over 60,000 calls last year. Its website had 1,118,924 hits. The centre was known for its provision of outstanding probo representation and good quality legal advice, helping thousands of South Londoners who otherwise had no hope of obtaining legal assistance.
It was said at the meeting that the forthcoming closure of Wandsworth County Court will means cases have to go to Kingston or Clerkenwell county courts, resulting in longer journeys for clients who may not turn up.
Guest speaker Richard Burgon MP, the shadow justice secretary emphasised his desire to see law centres become ‘engines of empowerment’ within communities. Burgon told the meeting there will be ‘two key announcements shortly in relation to legal aid to build on our announcements we have already made about family and housing law’.
The news is a blow to locals who benefited tremendously from the centre, but many will be seeking alternative centres for free advice. Legal representation remains an expensive commodity for many Londoners who are dealing with the high living standards of living in the capital.