Partners
Our key partners in the Courts Service and Judiciary provide a wealth of support and encouragement to the Bureau. This includes, for example, the provision of office space for the Bureau, which is of essential importance to the provision of service to Litigants in Person (LIPs) and our thanks go to Her Majesty's Courts Service for this. Further, our links across the Courts Service and Judiciary allow the Bureau to be responsive to client need, as well as ensuring the Bureau has a high profile to enable appropriate advice referrals to be made. Work in this regard is complemented by the dedication of our Chair, Lord Justice Mummery and his colleagues in the judiciary.
Thanks to the principal partnerships with Law Firms, the Bureau is able to continue to provide access to a range of high quality advice services. This includes the Honorary Legal Adviser pro bono opportunity, as well as access to additional services including Costs Draftsman and Bundling facilities. Further, our close relationship with the Law Firms provides access to invaluable resources including meeting rooms, printing and advice – all of which ensures the Bureau is able to continue to operate effectively and to the high standard necessary to remain competitive.
The Bureau is an active partner in the Capitalise project, bringing together a range of agencies to provide debt advice to financially excluded people across Greater London. Capitalise partners include other Citizens Advice Bureaux and Law Centres, as well as organisations primarily involved in social welfare activities (for example homelessness groups).
In addition to our work on the Capitalise project, the Bureau is also developing strong partnerships within the financial advice sector. This includes Independent Financial Advisers through our new MoneyPlan pilot project, and colleagues across sectors working in the financial literacy field. These relationships and partnerships are set to expand and develop as the Bureau’s work in this area grows.
Due to the nature of the Bureau’s legal work, we have close and effective working relationships with the Bar Pro Bono Unit (BPBU) and Free Representation Unit (FRU), offering the opportunity for referral where appropriate for clients requiring high level advice or representation. Further, we have cemented these partnerships through initiatives such as the “Court of Appeal Scheme”, where LIPs given permission to appeal are fast-tracked through the Bureau’s advice provision and on to dedicated BPBU referral.
Further to the partnerships we have with the BPBU and FRU, the Bureau has also been a key partner for the development of “PILARS” – the Personal Insolvency Litigation Advice and Representation Service. This unique scheme is providing pro bono barrister advice and support to clients facing bankruptcy, and will be looking to develop following the success of the pilot year in 2006/07.
The Bureau’s service in providing advice and assistance to LIPs at the Courts is complemented by The Personal Support Unit (PSU) with whom we have a close working relationship. The PSU offers emotional and practical support to litigants, and the Bureau is committed to working together with the PSU where appropriate to ensure the diverse needs of LIPs are met.
Law Works (formerly the Solicitors Pro Bono Group) are also an important partner for the Bureau, providing us with access to its large panel of pro bono solicitors to support our work (for example in our family clinics), as well as sharing knowledge and expertise to ensure that pro bono is effective. The Chief Executive of LawWorks is a member of the Bureau’s Resource Development sub-committee.
Promotional and training presentations are delivered through links with local colleges, law firms and local community organisations, diversifying the Bureau’s volunteer team and increasing numbers involved. A major partner in this work is The College of Law
The Bureau works in partnership with LawWorks, The Law Society, the RNID and Allen & Overy to run the Chancery Lane Clinic for Deaf clients. Launched in Pro Bono Week in 2006, the Clinic brings together pro bono legal professionals with volunteer BSL interpreters to provide advice to the Deaf community on a wide range of social welfare law issues.
As a Citizens Advice Bureau, we are part of a strong network of other CABx across the country, with whom we work closely in partnership on key areas of our work. This includes, for example, working together with a local CAB with our miscarriages of justice clients. We are looking to expand our partnerships in this area where possible, recognising the benefits of joint working and consortia approaches in relation to key funders and stakeholders. This work currently includes the Bureau Director as Chair of the Central London CAB partnership, which is drafting a cross-borough funding strategy to identify joint funding application opportunities.
Given the high legal focus of the Bureau’s work, our partnerships with the Law Centres are also of great value. Offering an opportunity for cross-referral, campaigning on issues of common interest, and sharing experiences in relation to funding and methods of advice provision.
The Bureau is also committed to working in partnership with non-advice sector organisations, and with local community organisations. We are exploring, for example, work with local schools who come to the Courts for educational visits, as well as seeking to strengthen our bonds with community groups in our “host” boroughs of Camden and Westminster. In the past this has included a partnership funding application with Volunteer Centre Westminster, and we intend to continue this model of partnership working locally in the future.
