Evaluation of the Early Legal Advice Pilot

About

We are evaluating the Early Legal Advice Pilot (ELAP). This evaluation will help the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) understand whether free legal advice and support helps people resolve problems with housing, debt and welfare benefits. ELAP involves providing free advice to selected eligible residents in Manchester City Council and Middlesbrough Council areas.

What is the pilot?

The Early Legal Advice Pilot (ELAP) is a legal advice and support programme. This is a programme that the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is testing in Manchester and Middlesbrough.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has asked The National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) to evaluate the programme. This evaluation will help MoJ understand whether free legal advice and support helps people resolve their problems.

To do this, people who choose to take part in the pilot, and are eligible, will receive up to 3 hours of free legal support.  The impact of this support will be assessed by a survey which participants will complete before and after receiving advice.

Who is carrying out the evaluation?

The National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) will be carrying out the evaluation, alongside WPI Economics (WPI), the Centre for Homeless Impact and The Legal Education Foundation. The evaluation is being carried out for the Ministry of Justice (MoJ).

Why have I been selected to take part?

We want to talk to people who may be struggling with debts or paying bills at the moment, or who have problems with their housing or welfare benefits, to see if we can offer some advice. This will help us understand what works in supporting them.

Why take part?

Not only can you receive free advice and support, but what you tell us about your issue and experience really will make a difference. Even if you do not take the free advice and support through the pilot, all survey responses will provide vital information to help the government make decisions about what services are provided to people across the country.

What will taking part involve?

The first step is taking part in a survey. The survey will first check that you are eligible for the free advice by asking whether you are experiencing an issue with debt, benefits or housing. Then you will be asked further questions about your current financial situation, your housing and your wellbeing. At the end of the survey, you will be offered 3 hours of free legal advice and told how to access it.  

Whether or not you take the advice, you will be asked to complete a follow-up survey a few months later to see how you are doing. We will send you a voucher as a thank you for completing this survey.

Do I have to take part?

Taking part is voluntary. You do not have to take part in the pilot, and you do not have to answer any survey questions you don’t want to. There will be no consequences if you decide not to take part. If you do want to take part, you should do it soon. The pilot is currently in a short testing phase and advice is not being offered after the end of March. If you do decide to take part then change your mind, you can let us know that you don’t want to be contacted again by emailing elap@natcen.ac.uk or calling us on 0800 652 0201.

How will the information I provide be used?

What you tell us will remain strictly confidential and the data you provide will be used for research purposes only. If you take part in the survey, your personal information, like your name and address, will not be shared with any public body other than for the purposes of research and linking data for this study. Your answers will be combined with those of others who take part in the survey and will be analysed by the research team to see whether free legal advice and support helped people resolve their problems.

Reports and publications will not identify any individuals. For more information on how your data will be used, visit the privacy notice.

Frequently asked questions

What is the survey about?

The survey includes questions about what housing debts or welfare issues you might be experiencing. It also asks about your current financial situation, your housing and your wellbeing.

What will getting the legal advice involve?

If you are eligible, you will be offered 3 hours of free legal advice, either in one session or multiple sessions. This advice can be given in-person, over the phone, or via email – it’s up to you. It will involve the lawyer working to understand your situation and suggesting steps for you to take. For example, they can write letters on your behalf, but they won’t be able to speak on your behalf in court or at a tribunal. You don't have to use all 3 hours if you don't want to.

Why is it important that I take part?

Not only can you receive free advice and support, but what you tell us about your issue and experience really will make a difference. Even if you do not take the free advice and support through the pilot, all survey responses will provide vital information to help the government make decisions about what services are provided to people across the country.

Where can I find out more?

If you would like more information about the pilot, you can contact elap@natcen.ac.uk or phone us free on 0800 652 0201.

Manchester City Council and Middlesbrough Council sent invitations out for NatCen but are not involved with the research. Please do not contact them about it.

Further support and advice

If taking part has caused you stress or upset and you would like to speak to someone who can provide non-legal support, here are some organisations that might be able to help.

Contact us

If you have any further questions or would like to discuss the research, please contact us using the details below. 

Email: elap@natcen.ac.uk

Freephone: 0800 652 0201

Privacy notice

At NatCen, we are committed to protecting your privacy and to being transparent about how we collect and use personal data. For more information on how NatCen will handle your personal information, please refer to the privacy notice.