These pages do not apply outside the United Kingdom.

Sources of help and advice

This page does not aim to give recommendations, simply information on possible sources of help and advice. Some sources may not apply to the whole of the UK.

Equality and Human Rights Commission helpline
British Stammering Association
ACAS
Advice agencies
Private solicitors, and legal aid
Volunteer lawyers
Trades unions
Court service disability helpline
Further sources

Equality and Human Rights Commission helpline

The Equality and Human Rights Commission helpline includes disability discrimination under the Equality Act/DDA. There are different phone numbers for England, Wales and Scotland, or you can write in - see www.equalityhumanrights.com/our-job/advice-from-our-helpline/

Amongst other things, the helpline may be able to tell you about local advice agencies which are likely to help.

(From April 2012, there are expected to be New arrangements for information, advice and support on discrimination and human rights (link to homeoffice.gov.uk)).

British Stammering Association

The British Stammering Association has an Information and Support Service (www.stammering.org/helpline.html) which includes a helpline on 0845 603 2001 as well as email. This does not offer legal advice but can:

provide support and a listening ear for people who stammer (or parents of children who stammer) on discrimination and other issues; and
help employers, service providers and others wanting to know how to deal with staff, job applicants, customers and other people who stammer.

ACAS

ACAS (www.acas.org.uk) can be approached on employment issues. They have a helpline giving free help and information on work issues, and can arrange for a conciliation officer to help settle a potential or actual tribunal claim.

In Northern Ireland the Labour Relations Agency (www.lra.org.uk) has a similar function.

Advice agencies (other than private solicitors)

Community Legal Advice

A free and confidential advice service, paid for by legal aid but anyone can call - www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk. They say "Even if you are not eligible for legal aid, we can still find ways to help by putting you in touch with the right agency or advice organisation." Areas covered include employment, education and welfare benefits and tax credits.

Disability Law Service

Provides free legal advice and information for disabled people throughout Great Britain (except that advice on welfare benefits is restricted to people living in the Greater London area). www.dls.org.uk

Citizens Advice Bureaux

CABs can often help, or may tell you a local organisation who can help. The Citizens Advice Bureaux website at www.nacab.org.uk helps you find your local office, and their online "adviceguide" gives basic advice and information on your rights.

Law Centres

Law Centres may provide free advice if you live or work in the catchment area. The Law Centres Federation website (www.lawcentres.org.uk) tells you about them and helps you find if there is one in your area.

Private solicitors firms, and legal aid

You can go to a solicitors firm. You should check they have expertise in the area you want. There is some guidance at Using an employment lawyer (link to takelegaladvice.com).

You could try the CLS Legal Adviser Directory (external link) to find a solicitor or other advice provider near you with a particular expertise. Also Solicitors Online (external link) lets you search for solicitors by expertise.

Free legal advice through legal aid can be available for those with a low income. There is information on legal aid at Help with legal costs (link to adviceguide.co.uk) and on www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk. There is a different scheme in Scotland.

One solicitors firm which seems to be active on behalf of individuals in areas covered by this website is Russell, Jones & Walker (www.rjw.co.uk). Their website includes a free online screening service called EqualityXpress. The firm has various offices round England and Wales.
You could also try The Co-operative Legal Services, offering free initial assessment and legal advice, and a 'no win, no fee' basis. They do seem to operate mainly by phone, but you could talk to them about possible adjustments if that is a problem.

See also blog post: Should I pay for legal advice (link to etclaims.co.uk), August 2010.

Volunteer lawyers

The Free Representiation Unit (www.thefru.org.uk) provides legal advice, case preparation and advocacy in tribunal cases for those who could not otherwise obtain legal support, for want of personal means or public funding. Individuals cannot approach it direct, but only through a referral agency such as a subscribing Citizens Advice Bureau or solicitor (there is a list of agencies on the FRU website).

Also the Bar Pro Bono Unit (www.barprobono.org.uk) can put people in touch with barristers who are willing to advise or represent clients free in deserving cases.

Trades Unions

A trades union will very often have a free legal service for their members. This will typically cover work-related disputes but some unions cover any legal problem.

Court service disability helpline

For issues with courts (civil and criminal), try the Court Service Disability helpline on 0800 358 3506. This may help on such things as problems giving evidence, taking the oath with a stammer, and other things to do with the courts

Further sources

Further specific sources of help and advice on particular areas are given on the webpage covering that area (eg social security benefits).

Links to relevant websites are also available on specific webpages and generally on the links page.

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