‘I lost £1,000 in 45 minutes on gambling machines after self-excluding myself. I’m severely disabled and was cut out in my father’s last will. I was refused a mortgage due to an unknown CCJ for a parking penalty. My sister gave me her dog when she emigrated but now wants it back.’
These are some of the varied problems presented to me as a rota solicitor. All four went to court and favourable outcomes were achieved. On other occasions, the advice given is not what the client wants to hear. Often, while the solicitors may benefit from researching a fascinating problem or a new area of law, they cannot help beyond listening and dispensing common sense.
Fewer and fewer people can afford to seek legal advice. Today an average solicitor charges, with VAT, upwards of £200 per hour. Our FLA scheme goes a small way towards meeting this chasm of need.
