How to access free legal advice
About the study
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).
Taking part
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. We would like to talk to these people to see if we can offer some advice. This will help us understand what works in supporting them.
Why is it important that I take part?
Not only can you be offered free advice and support, but what you tell us about your issue and experience really will make a difference. All of your responses to the survey will provide vital information to help future government decision making about what services are provided to people across the country.
What will taking part involve?
The first step was taking part in the survey which you completed. You have now been offered three hours of free advice from a professional lawyer. This advice is being delivered as part of the Early Legal Advice Pilot (ELAP) and can be delivered either in one session or multiple sessions. It can be given in-person, over the phone, or via email – it’s up to you. You don't have to use all 3 hours if you don't want to.
To get the advice, you’ll need to contact a legal advice provider, who will confirm you are eligible. If you are, the lawyer will work to understand your situation and suggest 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. NatCen researchers may request to observe your advice session.
You will then be asked to complete a follow-up survey a few months later to see how you are doing and whether the advice helped. We will send you a voucher as a thank you for completing this survey. We may also ask you to take part in a research interview, whether or not you choose to get the advice.
Do I have to take part?
Taking part is voluntary. You do not have to take part in the pilot if you don’t want to. There will be no consequences if you decide not to take part. If you don’t want to be contacted by us again, let us know 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. Your personal information like your name and address will not be shared with any public body including the government, the police, local authorities or any other third parties 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 pilot and will be analysed by the research team to see whether free legal advice and support helped people resolve their problems.
This will then be presented anonymously in research reports. Reports and publications will not identify any individuals.
Find out how to access your three free hours of support
Who are NatCen?
Read morePrivacy notice
For more information on how NatCen will handle your personal information, please refer to the privacy notice.
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
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.