County Court Housing Possession scheme

HCLC runs a duty Solicitor advice and representation scheme at the Clerkenwell & Shoreditch County Court.

The Court normally lists housing possession cases in blocks on particular days. The Law Centre organises the rota amongst local legal aid solictor firms and arranges that tenants are represented. The possession list is offered free of charge and representation is provided to individuals who do not already have representation. The help is available to tenants and owner-occupiers, but not landlords or mortgage providers.

The Legal Services Commission funds the scheme, but, unlike standard public funding for legal advice and representation, access to the scheme is dependent upon the urgent circumstances that housing possession actions can produce rather than the individual's financial position. There is no means test, although details of income and savings are recorded as a part of assessing the pilot scheme.

After the hearing HCLC or local law firm writes to the individual and explains what has happened, including details of what the Court decided or ordered and outlining any need for further advice. HCLC may advise the individual further on the matter as a part of its other work, or may refer the client to another solicitor or advice agency as appropriate.
HCLC continues to recommend that individuals should seek advice as early as possible when faced with a possession action and should avoid relying on the availability of the duty scheme to get advice.

See the Contact Us page of this website for details how and where to get advice.