In the first year of our #data project, we have taken great strides towards establishing a Common Data Framework across Law Centres. LCN’s Head of IT and Data, Alex Charles, takes us through the journey so far:

We are delighted to share that founder of the UK Law Centres movement, Peter Kandler, has been awarded King’s Counsel Honoris Causa. The award recognises Peter’s major contribution to the legal profession, which brought the law into people’s everyday lives. (1/3)

Regeneration should work with communities, not around them. When key details about affordable housing were missing from a regeneration project in Birmingham, residents became concerned. A legal challenge from @ce-lawcentre.bsky.social pushed the local council to reaffirm its commitments.

Family #LegalAid urgently needs a boost. Some worrying facts: ⚠️ The number of people representing themselves in the family courts tripled between 2013 and 2023 ✂️ Legal aid fees have not increased since 1996, and in 2011 were cut by 10% (1/2)

Is the ‘right to justice’ becoming an ‘extinction event’? The headlines from the past week paint a stark picture for the UK’s #justice system. 🧵(1/12)

Wait times for disability benefits have officially hit 'unacceptable' levels. Nearly half of PIP claims miss processing targets. Our dysfunctional welfare system is needlessly pushing disabled people into poverty.

In December, @vlcliverpool.bsky.social launched its Impact Report at an event in Liverpool, kindly sponsored by @bjcsolicitors.bsky.social. (1/6)

Cold weather shouldn't mean a health crisis. If your landlord is failing in their legal duties to keep your home safe and warm, you have rights. Law Centres make sure landlords follow the rules.

Good news story to start the New Year: a Law Centre client who faced race discrimination at work has been awarded nearly £70,000 in compensation. (1/2)

The LCN office is closed for the winter break from Wednesday, 24th December until Friday, 2nd January. A big thank you to everyone who has supported us over the past year! Check out our latest newsletter for some highlights from 2025: 🔗 mailchi.mp/120f1b43de90...

A significant boost for #AccessToJustice in the North East! Through the Stephen Denyer Scholarship, City of London Law Society and the Denyer family are supporting four aspiring solicitors at @northeastlawcentre.bsky.social to progress their legal careers.

“It has been a long two years, but we can’t thank Andrew enough for what he has done for us.” —Ben’s family @merseysidelaw.bsky.social achieved a great result for Ben and his family, who had been put through a lot by the DWP. When the system fails people, Law Centres are there to catch them. (1/2)

Human Rights are the framework that protects people's dignity, limits misuse of power and helps to shape a fairer society. They are a foundation for our democracy. This #HumanRightsDay, we've joined 180+ orgs calling for leadership that strengthens human rights, not weakens them. #HRD25

We are delighted to welcome @canwk.bsky.social to the Network. It is the latest of our Citizens Advice collaborations, and the Law Centre component will serve the entire county of Kent. Here’s to our new Law Centre in the "Garden of England!" 🌳

When bad government decisions overload the system, everyone pays the price. An expert report highlights what Law Centres see every day: avoidable disputes are clogging up tribunals and creating unnecessary stress and cost. (1/2)

The Nathaniel Mathews Award is back for 2025 with a new winner: Southwark Law Centre’s Rachel Lovell! Rachel has done fantastic work preventing homelessness in South London over the past year. Read about her achievements: 👉 www.lawcentres.org.uk/news/law-cen...

In times of national uncertainty, how do we navigate a clear path through? Learn how LCN has been building resilience and driving transformation. All in our new Annual Review. 👉 www.lawcentres.org.uk/news/navigat...

BBC News went behind the scenes at six county courts across England to witness housing repossession cases unfold. Along the way, they met Law Centre housing lawyers: the people on the front line fighting every day to stop homelessness. (1/2)

GPs charging for medical evidence letters is creating a hidden barrier for people in poverty. @ce-lawcentre.bsky.social's Emma Bates and Dr Liz Curran discuss this recent phenomenon, which is blocking access to benefits, housing and safety. 👇

Universal Credit sanctions cause “avoidable hardship, worsening health, and prolonged exclusion from work.” Gov't tells us that sanctions are a last resort. A new report from @ce-lawcentre.bsky.social and Public Law Project finds the opposite, with disastrous consequences for vulnerable people.

Care about the #housing crisis? Care about the environment? @pilc-campaigns.bsky.social’s new report is a must-read. Housing campaigners have been concerned about the hasty demolition of structurally sound homes by developers. Tax incentives and exemptions could be the driver. 👇

Power to the community. 💪 Harrow Law Centre recently held a protest with local renters demanding action on the #housing crisis. It worked! Councillor Mina Parmar has agreed to meet with residents. Learn more: harrowonline.org/2025/10/31/r... 📸 credit: Martina De Camillis.

All of us at LCN are saddened to learn that Sir Geoffrey Bindman has died at the age of 92. Sir Geoffrey was a lifelong advocate for social justice and was instrumental in the creation of Camden Community Law Centre. Sir Geoffrey will be remembered fondly and our thoughts are with his family.🕯️

Spotlight on Health Justice Partnerships. Law Centres are showing how legal advice can be a public health tool. Learn more in our latest newsletter: 🔗 mailchi.mp/86d35243f82e...

This week, the European Convention on Human Rights turns 75. We all owe a huge amount to this landmark treaty, which built a safer Europe after World War II and continues to protect the lives of ordinary people to this very day. (1/2)

💪 The fight to save social housing in London. @pilc-campaigns.bsky.social was recently in the High Court, supporting residents in East London to challenge a decision taken about the demolition of their homes.

💪 The fight to save social housing in Manchester. A legal challenge from @gmlawcentre.bsky.social has halted the demolition of 6 social housing blocks in Rochdale. Campaigners argue that the estate could be retrofitted. GMLC hopes plans that work better for the community will now be considered.

Yesterday, the Renters' Rights Bill received Royal Assent and became law. Law Centres give legal assistance to renters, to help them protect their homes. We have been campaigning alongside organisations and groups great and small for better rights and protections for renters. (1/3) 🧵

Part of the #Windrush generation, Hetticia and Vanderbilt McIntosh grew up in Britain. Then, all of a sudden, they were treated like outsiders. Hetticia finally got justice with the help of Southwark Law Centre. For Vanderbilt, the fight drags on. (1/2)

On #AdviceWeek, we’re sharing a few stories of hardship transformed. This is the contribution that Law Centres make every day to our country. It’s a vital public service, but government underinvestment is limiting its potential. It's time to give the advice sector the support it needs to thrive.

🚨 Calling aspiring solicitors! 🚨 The Social Welfare Solicitors Qualification Fund has opened its latest round of applications. 🎤 Ealing Law Centre's Abdi-rashid Hassan was a SWSQFer who is now a QUALIFIED SOLICITOR. Get your #SWSQF application in by Wednesday, 12th November. Link below. 👇

Too often, the DWP makes incorrect decisions. These can affect the finances, independence and health of disabled people. Law Centres fight to get disabled claimants the support they need.

LCN has joined 160+ charity leaders in calling on the government to provide consistent leadership to advance anti-racism, inclusion and equality.

Did you know that a broken shower can be a legal issue? 🚿⚖️ When renters face disrepair, it’s not just an inconvenience: it can affect their health and wellbeing. Knowing your rights is essential. Law Centres help people to understand and assert those rights.

Even people who get favourable Employment Tribunal judgments do not end up getting their payouts. Now, once again, the government is considering introducing fees for making claims. This is a step backwards that will harm workers’ rights.

The government is coming under renewed pressure to scrap the two-child benefit limit. The two-child limit deprives parents of further child benefit when their third or later child was born after 6/04/17. It now affects 1.67 million children. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Vauxhall Law Centre in Liverpool is situated in one of England’s most deprived areas. The Law Centre’s new impact report is a must-read for anyone working on solutions to #UKPoverty and homelessness. 👇

Structural barriers like unaffordable childcare, harsh welfare rules and insecure employment trap women in poverty. Learn how @ce-lawcentre.bsky.social is helping women challenge injustice and build financial security. 🔗 www.wbg.org.uk/publication/...

FLOWS is a national service that supports women experiencing domestic abuse. It provides free legal advice to keep survivors and their loved ones safe. FLOWS could be a lifeline to you or someone you know. Chair of RCJ Advice, Lord Justice Peter Jackson, leads a call to spread the word.

Dr Liz Curran and Central England Law Centre's Claire Stern discuss legal secondary consultations, a collaborative approach to working with vulnerable and disadvantaged people. Approaches like this deliver better outcomes for the community and save money for public services.

LCN has contributed to a new report on the importance of volunteering to UK society. Volunteers have played a key role in the Law Centres movement since its origins in the 1970s. And to this day, volunteers keep justice alive in places where it is needed most. Learn more: www.works-4u.com/what-if

“If they allowed the players equal footing, there would be no need to take away our precious public park.” Driven by community power, @pilc-campaigns.bsky.social is fighting to save London green space.

This week, the Employment Rights Bill entered its final stages. The reforms are missing a key opportunity to strengthen workers' rights. In our February newsletter we discussed the need for #AccessToJustice provision. 🔗 mailchi.mp/adb9d58994f9...

Southwark Law Centre is supporting a community campaign to challenge a controversial housing development in South London. Campaigners argue that the scheme will displace local businesses and is likely to increase house prices in the area. Help the people of Peckham to fund their legal team! 👇

Last year, we published a report into UK police standards and practice. We found inconsistency in how police forces collect and record victims’ language needs. There’s a way forward—one that will get us closer to equal treatment for all victims of crime, regardless of language proficiency. 👇

❌ Child interpreters ❌ Inconsistent training ❌ Poor data collection Victims with language support needs are being locked out of justice. 🔒 Our research has worrying implications for police competence and transparency. 👇

“It was like someone had finally turned the light on in a really dark room.” 📢 NEW REPORT Learn how a Law Centre service is supporting women experiencing domestic abuse to access life-saving legal protections. 👇

Treating NHS patients with… justice? ⚖️ Legal problems—like problems with housing and benefits—can be the cause of ill health. Central England Law Centre has been working alongside local GPs to solve them. (1/2)

Different origins, same Law Centre spirit! Two of our members celebrated anniversaries this summer: South West London Law Centres and Greater Manchester Law Centre. Learn a little about their histories in the latest edition of our newsletter. 🔗 mailchi.mp/53b00013c6f8...

Target reached ✅ The Save Whitewebbs Park fundraiser has smashed its target of £20k meaning @pilc-campaigns.bsky.social can go ahead with a legal challenge. PILC is fighting with local residents to save the London park from privatisation.