Other help - Scotland-wide

ACAS

Provide information, advice, conciliation and other services for employers and employees to help prevent or resolve workplace problems.

Acas helpline adviser on 0300 123 1100 or www.acas.org.uk

Equality Advisory & Support Service

Advises and assists individuals on issues relating to equality, discrimination and human rights.

Freephone telephone 0808 800 0082 or www.equalityadvisoryservice.com

Ethnic Minorities Law Centre (EMLC)

EMLC provides information, advice and legal representation on Immigration and Nationality; Asylum; Employment and Discrimination Law

Tel: 0141 204 2888

Email: admin@emlc.org.uk

Website: www.emlc.org.uk

Citizens Advice Bureau

Citizens Advice Scotland form Scotland’s largest independent advice network.  Some bureaux have in-court advisors and lay representatives – find your local Citizens Advice Bureau at www.cas.org.uk/bureaux.

The Citizens Advice Bureau is an accredited agency for referrals to the Free Legal Services Unit of the Faculty of Advocates (see below).

Faculty of Advocates

The Free Legal Services Unit (FLSU) was established to provide free legal advice and representation by volunteer advocates for those who cannot afford the legal help they need, and who cannot obtain assistance from any other source. If you are interested in accessing help from the FLSU you will need to consult an accredited agency and meet certain criteria.

Free Legal Services Units which can be accessed through accredited agencies.  Current accredited advice agencies can be found at www.advocates.org.uk/instructing-advocates/free-legal-services-unit

Other help - Edinburgh and Lothians

The University of Edinburgh Free Legal Advice Centre (FLAC)

The Free Legal Advice Centre delivers pro bono legal services to members of the public living in and around the Edinburgh area who, for whatever reason, cannot access legal advice elsewhere. Student advisers, members of staff and qualified solicitors work together to offer advice on legal problems.

FLAC can provide advice and assistance on the following: company and commerical,  contract, disputes, employment, family, property, intellectual property, landlord and tenant, willis and inheritance and personal injury.

Telephone: 0800 073 0150

Email: freelegaladvice@ed.ac.uk

Website: www.law.ed.ac.uk/about-us/free-legal-advice-centre

Edinburgh Napier Law Clinic

Edinburgh Napier Law Clinic is an entirely student-run organisation providing free legal advice to the public. Established in 2015, the Clinic currently offers legal advice in employment, private housing and consumer matters.

The clinic are unable to represent clients in court, but is an advice agency accredited by the Faculty of Advocates Free Legal Services Unit. Where appropriate, they can refer a case to the Faculty for representation.

Telephone: 0131 455 2689

Email: lawclinic@napier.ac.uk

Website: www.enlc.co.uk

Other help - Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire

Gordon Rural Action

Our office in Huntly is the base for The Huntly Hub; a multi-agency project incorporating Gordon Rural Action, Job Centre Plus, Momentum, Enable, Barnardo’s, Home Energy Scotland, Aberdeenshire North Food Bank and a variety of other partners.

Gordon Rural Action, at The Huntly Hub, 55 Gordon Street, Huntly, AB54 8EQ, offers a wide range of free, confidential, impartial and independent advice and digital access on a range of issues including:

  • Scottish Security Scotland Benefit applications (Best Start Grants, Best Start Food Card, Carers Supplement, Young Carers Grant, Funeral Support Payment)
  • Scottish Welfare Fund Applications
  • Universal Credit Applications and Journal updates
  • Warm Home Discount, Blue Badge Application
  • Housing Applications (for example, Apply4Homes)
  • Council Tax Reduction/Housing Benefit.

Website:  https://gordonruralaction.org.uk/

Tel:  01466 793 676

Email:  enquiries@gordonrural.org.uk

University Law Clinics

Law Clinics can provide free legal advice, assistance and representation to members of the public.  Contact your local clinic if you feel you have a problem they could help you with. The law clinics operating in Aberdeen at present are:

Aberdeen Law Project

Website: abdnlawproject.com

Tel: 01224 272 434

Email: general@abdlawproject.com

Robert Gordon University

Website: www.rgu.ac.uk/life-at-rgu/learning-facilities/law-facilities/the-law-clinic

Tel: 01224 262 394

Email: thelawclinic@rgu.ac.uk

Please note that law clinics do not advise in all areas of law, with normal exclusions being family law and criminal law. Please also note that the relevant law clinic may not be able to assist you, particularly if you earn over a certain threshold amount or if there is a more appropriate alternative provider who can assist you, which would normally be the case if you are eligible for legal aid.