BAC and Cambridge House Law Centre are pleased to announce the launch of an exciting collaboration to test the provision of Employment Law advice and partnership-working through its award-winning Online Legal Clinic

The Online Legal Clinic is a fully-online delivery platform allowing the public to seek free, independent legal advice on a wide range of legal issues from fully qualified solicitors and barristers offering their services for free to people who would otherwise be unable to access legal advice

As well as the established pro bono service, BAC has been developing its online delivery platform to allow services at scale by incorporating additional projects running alongside the pro bono service. Recent funding from Trust for London, for example, allows BAC to employ a solicitor providing specialist housing advice specifically to people living in the private rented sector

This collaboration between BAC and Cambridge House expands the platform further, with a dedicated Employment Law solicitor employed by Cambridge House funded by the Community Justice Fund to provide expert legal advice on employment issues

Cambridge House, based in Southwark, has roots in radical change and a desire to tackle poverty and social injustice through its extensive legal advice and other services. This current collaboration with BAC via the Online Legal Clinic platform shows both organisations are committed to expanding services and working together to support and develop 21^st Century-ready independent law services for social good

Notes:

The Online Legal Clinic is supervised by Harriet Thomas, an experienced Housing Law Solicitor employed by BAC and was set up during the COVID pandemic as a way of providing legal advice to members of the public during the various lockdowns. Initial costs were met with the support of the Community Justice Fund, London Community Response Fund, Trust for London and the Walcot Foundation

This collaboration between BAC and Cambridge House will run until the end of June 2023, with Cambridge House funded via the Community Justice Fund. The advice will be provided by Marilu Peries, an experienced Employment Law Solicitor working for Cambridge House

BAC is seeking further funding so it can continue development of the Online Legal Clinic as a delivery platform

The Online Legal Clinic won the Best Contribution by a Pro Bono Clinic national award at the 2020 LawWorks Pro Bono Awards and was a Finalist in the same category at the 2022 Awards

Employment queries can be submitted through the Online Legal Clinic open form

Persons without online access or otherwise unable to complete the form can contact BAC by telephone or in person for assistance