Where to get legal advice?

eloy7

There are many websites claiming free legal advice, but in practice, they do nothing if you do not pay. I wonder if there is a website really providing free legal advice?

I just need to check if I have a legal right in my case to take a legal action, or I must forget about it.

marliepanda

Unlikely. Law degrees aren't cheap.

Most solicitors offer a free half hour, or you could post the details here and get free non legal but knowledgeable advice

Tiddlywinks

Ever heard the expression 'you get what you pay for'?

If you want credible and reliable advice then you need to go to a credible and reliable source - not an internet forum.

eloy7

I know understand you say, but how should I make sure if I really have a legal case or it was an illusion that I have this specific right?

IAmWales

eloy7 wrote: »

I know understand you say, but how should I make sure if I really have a legal case or it was an illusion that I have this specific right?

What specific right are you referring to?

If you're having illusions then you might want to see your doctor

steampowered

If you want to be sure you are getting correct and professional legal advice then you need to see a solicitor.

If that is not a realistic, many parts of the country have decent CABs or law centres which will provide basic free legal advice. Sometimes the advice can be excellent and sometimes it can be patchy. Availability depends where you are in the country.

The legal issues forum on CAG has a lot of people who are very knowledgeable about legal disputes and is a good resource if you think you might have a legal claim, although it is obviously not a substitute for paid legal advice.

Mersey_2

eloy7 wrote: »

There are many websites claiming free legal advice, but in practice, they do nothing if you do not pay. I wonder if there is a website really providing free legal advice?

I just need to check if I have a legal right in my case to take a legal action, or I must forget about it.

Not a website.


But you can receive initial free legal advice (qualified or non). ie upto an hour. Some solicitors also work or provide pro bono sessions at CABs, but this will depend on the area of law and is largely restricted these days to immigration, welfare law, clinical negligence etc. There's still limited civil legal assistance (publicly-funded) that most are unaware of, but again it's restricted to appeals against the DWP and so in in the Upper Tribunal.


There's also some retired or part-time lawyers who provide McKenzie Friend assistance. March is also Free Wills Month and there are a few such schemes whereby solicitors will provide the service for free or for a donation to a charity.

MacMickster

If you are a union member you will probably have access to free legal advice through them, or maybe you have legal expense cover through your home insurance.

If not, then please don't rely on advice from anonymous posters on an internet forum. Those who do so tend to pick out the posts that agree with their own viewpoint, ignoring those who offer alternative opinions. This can prove very costly in the long run if you start a legal dispute with a current or former employer based purely on the advice of a handful of internet warriors.

ceegee

Give ACAS a ring. I have had excellent advice from them over the years. They don't just deal with big disputes, they have helplines for individuals as well and will give free advice on employment issues.

gettingtheresometime

ceegee wrote: »

Give ACAS a ring. I have had excellent advice from them over the years. They don't just deal with big disputes, they have helplines for individuals as well and will give free advice on employment issues.

In my experience their advice was at best generic and non comittal and at worst useless

Valli

Another option, if you're close to a University, is to ask if they have a pro bono law 'clinic' - some do, to give their students experience. Unfortunately, we're approaching the end of the academic year, so may not be a good time.

(Having said that, last time I suggested that I got flamed on here, and told that that option doesn't exist!)