free legal advice myth

rufuschucklebutty

I have tried to get free legal advice regarding a court order I have received, my first call was to the CAB, I got a call from a teenager telling me they don't know what to do, i should just pay it !

There is no real free legal advice online, there's a forum but your lucky to get one reply. I have spoken to a charity but they won't commit themselves to any definite answer on anything.

So I'm pretty angry and disappointed, the organisation that has put this order on me employs a large legal firm, and the court process and documents are deliberately complicated and not in plain English, what am I supposed to do ?

My opinion of the legal system is at an all time low, I feel they are making a fortune and at the same time making sure legal aid and advice is being cut down to nothing.

McKneff

Forget online.


Go out and find a solicitor, ask for a half hours free consultation. Most of them offer this.

keyser666

Post it here?

Rhubarb81

keyser666 wrote: »

Post it here?

While many claim to know the law, it's often better to get it from a professional

browneyedbazzi

Legal advice - even that from a professional - will be a bit wishy washy. I give specialist legal advice in the course of my job but there's always a caveat at the end that only the courts can provide an authoritative interpretation of the law. Most cases are not black and white and it can be very difficult to guess what the courts will do so you will never get a definite answer.

In any case, with most court orders there are ways that you can appeal against the decision. You have to decide if you have decent grounds to appeal or not. If the answer is no then you should comply with the order. If you do think you have grounds to appeal then you are best going to see a solicitor who can explain the process and the risks involved (if you lose on appeal you can end up having to pay the other side's costs).

paddyrg

There's a reason there's no free legal advice - 'advice' is something that can be sued for if it is wrong, and so only insured practices will give 'advice', meaning they need a formal engagement to be covered by the insurance, meaning paying for it. I don't think anyone has ever claimed there was such a thing as free legal advice, so not sure where the 'myth' arose?

MarkBargain

I have never used these myself, but a few ideas are:

Insurance products, such as home insurance and life assurance
Does your policy offer a legal helpline?

Trade union
If you are in a union, do they have a legal helpline?

Local solicitors
Many offer a free half-hour session, although I expect that will mainly be to jot down details after which they will try to sell further sessions. No harm trying though.

LawWorks
They advertise free sessions across the country: http://lawworks.org.uk/clinics

KILL_BILL

alot of free legal advice centres have closed down due to lack of funding

if you have received a court order tomake a payment then you have 14 days to pay it or you will have a judgement entered against you and then if you dont pay - enforcement action will be taken

as has been mentioned post a brief note about circumstances of the case and then we can advise you further.

keyser666

Rhubarb81 wrote: »

While many claim to know the law, it's often better to get it from a professional

Indeed they are but advice can still be given and if it is a complicated matter of law I am sure that most on here would direct them accordingly

nomoneytoday

It takes years of training to qualify as a solicitor, barrister or QC - why would it free ?

Legal Aid is available for those who qualify to use the services of the above.

ShadowPuma

Having tried to use CAB recently I was underwhelmed. We knew more about the area of law than the 'Advisor' did and no one else in the office knew more than her apparently...

Unfortunately I do agree with all the above said - If you want legal advice go see a solicitor. And pay them.