Hammersmith & Fulham Law Centre Moves to Hammersmith Library

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Move from former centre in Fulham offers improved facilities for people seeking advice

The Hammersmith & Fulham Law Centre has moved from North End Road in Fulham to Hammersmith Library to offer more residents expert help with their legal problems.

The advice service, funded by H&F Council was to be found at 363 North End Road, but from now on is based in the Hammersmith Library building in Shepherd's Bush Road, north of Hammersmith Broadway.

Situated on the first floor of the library, the new H&F Law Centre boasts five case worker rooms, two interview rooms and a reception.

In 2017, the Law Centre offered advice to 679 residents and 95 different local organisations.

Award-winning Law Centre lawyer Sue James could not be happier with their new home. She joined the H&F Law Centre over a decade ago and is thankful to be in the borough.

Despite significant government cuts to Legal Aid funding in that time, Sue said H&F Council had been ‘hugely supportive’ to the Law Centre team.

“The council have been instrumental in supporting the centre and helping us to find new premises,” said Sue.

“It’s great the council is assisting us to do more for H&F residents. They care about their tenants – which is clear to see by the huge drop in evictions and adoption of ethical debt collecting methods.”

Sue was named Lawyer of the Year in August winning the national award for outstanding achievement at the Legal Aid lawyer of the year awards.

She has more than 20 years of experience in housing issues, helping those threatened with eviction as well as representing vulnerable clients detained under the Mental Health Act. Click here to read more about Sue’s work in her blog.

“The H&F Law Centre plays a huge role protecting the most vulnerable people in our local communities and we are proud to say they will now have new and improved facilities and our continued support,” said Cllr Sue Fennimore, Deputy Leader of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.

“We will work together with the Law Centre to continue to fight for those who are often socially excluded.”

The Law Centre also coordinates the Advice Forum, an online offering links to support, information and local advice services in Hammersmith & Fulham.

The Law Centre is also keen to hear from people who can spare at least one day a week to volunteer to cover its reception during office hours. The centre says this role is suitable for somebody with some office experience and a willingness to learn and is a great opportunity for somebody wishing to gain experience within a law centre environment. Training and supervision is provided.

You can find out more about volunteering here.

January 25, 2018