- about us
- help desk
- immigration and asylum law
- housing law
- employment law
- general advice
- get involved
- news
- map & directions
about us
Hello and welcome to our website.
We are an independent local charity funded by the Legal
Services Commission (under ‘Legal Aid’) and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Our advice and casework on the law and your rights is
confidential, quality-marked, unbiased… and free.
Most clients are referred to us by Bury Citizens Advice Bureau or other rights-advice providers – so you may not have heard of us before. We’re also quite a new Law Centre – we’ve only been at our current address since July 2005.
We’ve already helped to resolve problems for thousands of people living or working in Bury – from simple, general legal enquiries to detailed cases and representation for clients who would otherwise not have been able to get the help they needed.
If we can help you in any way, please call us on 0161 272 0666 or drop in and see us - we’re 3 minutes walk from Bury Metrolink – please click the map link to your right to see where we are.
Yours sincerely
Kevin Miles
Managing Solicitor
helpdesk
01612720666
to find the advice you need
- Information on all Bury Law Centre services
- Up-to-date listings of local rights advice services and solicitors firms
contacts for helplines and web-based directory services - Open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 12.45pm and 1.45 to 4.30pm
- Please call in or phone during these hours, when we have 4 lines open
How we can help:
- guide you to services that deal with your legal rights problem
- book appointments for Bury Law Centre’s legal guidance or evening employment advice clinics
PLEASE NOTE
Helpdesk is not an advice line. You will speak to reception staff.
Please call during opening hours when we can deal with your enquiry. We cannot normally respond to messages left on the answerphone.
To find out about the initial advice we offer, click on one of the tabs above. We cannot offer advice:
to new enquiries by telephone or email.
on business or criminal matters.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION for callers with particular needs
Speakers of other languages – if you drop in on your first visit, please bring an English speaking friend. If we can take up your case, interpreters can be booked for future appointments.
The law centre is not yet wheelchair accessible - if you require disabled access, please contact us first and we will make arrangements to see you.
immigration and asylum law
Applying for British citizenship?
Bringing family members into the UK?
Need to know how to extend your Visa?
Claiming asylum?
Being removed or deported?
What we do
- Free guidance (up to 30 mins) on new enquiries
- Give specialist advice, prepare cases and act for clients
- Tribunal representation
What we can’t do
- Fill in forms for you that don’t require legal advice
drop-in advice
New enquiries are seen at our ‘drop-in’ clinic
every Thursday between 2 – 4pm
As this service is a ‘drop-in’ we cannot pre-book interpreters. If needed, please bring an English speaking friend with you.
(see Helpdesk for more information)
useful links
www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk
The Immigration and Nationality Directorate
www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk
rules and application forms including work permits, settlement and extensions
www.ukvisas.gov.uk
all out-of-UK visa applications
www.lifeintheuktest.gov.uk
Information about the new Life in the UK test that people seeking naturalisation will need to pass.
www.multikulti.org.uk
Culturally appropriate and accurately translated legal information
www.ait.gov.uk
The Asylum & Immigration Tribunal for appeals
www.refugeecouncil.org.uk
The UK Refugee Council – information for refugees
www.refugee-action.org.uk
independent charity supporting refugees
housing law
Threatened with losing your home?
Homeless or problems with temporary housing?
Poorly maintained rented accommodation?
Being harassed by your landlord?
Housing benefit unfairly delayed or stopped?
Accused of anti-social behaviour by your landlord?
What we do
- Free guidance (up to 30 mins) on new enquiries
- Give specialist advice, prepare cases and act for clients
- Representation at court
What we can’t do
- Advise or act for landlords or on business tenancies
- Help with conveyancing or house purchases
drop-in advice
New enquiries are seen at our ‘drop-in’ clinic
every Tuesday from 2 – 4pm
As this service is a ‘drop-in’ we cannot pre-book interpreters. If needed, please bring an English speaking friend with you.
(see Helpdesk for more information)
useful links
www.shelter.org.uk
Shelter - for housing and homelessness advice and information
www.crisis.org.uk
Crisis - for homelessness information
employment law
Were you unfairly dismissed?
Want to know your entitlements under the law?
Being bullied or harassed at work?
Change of conditions?
What we do
- Free guidance (up to 30 mins) on new enquiries
- Evening pro bono clinic with the Employment Lawyers Association
- Give specialist advice, prepare cases and act for clients
What we can’t do
- Advise employers or the self-employed
- Represent clients at employment tribunal under ‘Legal Aid’ rules
Employment advice appointments
New enquiries are seen by appointment by our in-house caseworker
or 6 – 8.30pm fortnightly by Pro-bono lawyers (one-off advice only)
Please call Helpdesk for details and booking
0161 272 0666
useful links
www.gmlpu.org.uk
Greater Manchester Pay & Employment Rights Advice Service
www.acas.org.uk
The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service
www.employmenttribunals.gov.uk
The Employment Tribunals
www.equalityhumanrights.com
Equality, human rights and discrimination matters (comprising the former Commission for Racial Equality, Disability Rights Commission & Equal Opportunities Commission
www.ets.gov.uk
The Employment Tribunal Service
www.dti.gov.uk
The Department of Trade and Industry
www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
The Department for Work and Pension's jobs site including information on how to make some benefits claims
general advice
Don’t know how to get started?
Can’t find a lawyer who will take time to explain the basics?
Put off by worries about what they might charge?
Small problem ‘not worth the cost of a solicitor’s time?
Want to be sure the advice is accurate, confidential and unbiased?
What we do
- free, one-off general legal guidance (up to 30 mins) on any problem
- information and support to find and use services to help you further
What we can’t do
- take on cases or act on your behalf
- advise on criminal or business matters
When you come to us
Helpdesk will ask for a few details when you make an appointment.
You will see a professional lawyer who offers their time to Bury Law Centre as a pro bono volunteer. S/he will explain and give initial guidance on general points of law and suggest what to do next.
General legal guidance appointments
- every Wednesday 6 – 8pm at Bury Law Centre
- twice a month on Thursday 10 – 12.30
at community centres in East Bury
Punjabi / Urdu speaking female lawyer on request
Please call Helpdesk 01612720666 for details and booking.
useful links
www.ace.org.uk
Age Concern England
www.advicenow.org.uk
An independent website providing accurate information on rights and legal issues
www.citizensadvice.org.uk
The Citizens Advice Bureau's main website
www.adviceguide.org.uk
The Citizens Advice Bureau's advice website
www.legalservices.gov.uk
The Legal Services Commission
www.lawcentres.org.uk
The Law Centres Federation
www.hmcourts-service.org.uk
For services at County and magistrates courts, inc small claims
www.clsdirect.org.uk
Community Legal Advice – directory of all legal rights services publicly funded by the Legal Services Commission (‘Legal Aid’)
www.lag.org.uk
The Legal Action Group
get involved
If you are interested in what we do and would like to get involved, there are several ways you can help:
1. Law Centre Volunteer
Volunteer staff play an important role in the Law Centre’s Reception, by helping with administration and on our Helpdesk. This involves dealing with calls from clients or other agencies and signposting new enquiries to appropriate services.
Reception staff do not give advice, so experience or qualification in a legal rights field is not necessary.
We have regular volunteers who are working part-time, some who are retired and some who are studying for legal qualifications.
We need…
a couple of hours of your time each week
a commitment to justice, equality and confidentiality
an ability to pass on information reliably, by telephone or in person
We offer…
a rewarding role in a friendly environment
a central Bury location and travel expenses to get here
For more information please contact Lynn Moore, Administrator on (0161) 272 0666 or e-mail info@burylawcentre.co.uk
Download here:
information for volunteers
admin volunteer description and person specification
application form
2. Pro bono lawyer
We have a team of legal executives, solicitors and barristers, who come to us in their spare time, to help clients who might not otherwise get the advice they need. They offer general legal guidance or employee rights advice at one of our three pro bono clinics.
For an informal chat or further information, please contact David Wildman on (0161) 272 0666 or e-mail info@burylawcentre.co.uk
Download here:
information for interested lawyers
3. Management Committee member
Our Management Committee guides the work and development of the Law Centre. It currently includes representatives from voluntary sector advice and support agencies as well as individual lawyers with an interest in social justice issues.
Members are also directors of the charitable company, limited by guarantee.
The Committee is elected at the Annual General Meeting and nominations can be made via the Company Secretary.
For more information on Committee membership please contact Kevin Miles, Managing Solicitor and Company Secretary on (0161) 272 0666 or e-mail info@burylawcentre.co.uk
news
2008 - NEW!
Bury Law Centre wins National Award for volunteer legal service.
Free legal advice clinics given by volunteer lawyers at Bury Law Centre have been recognized as some of the best in the country.
Bury’s service won the award for Best Contribution by a Regional Law Firm or Organisation at the LawWorks National Pro Bono Awards in London on Thursday 19th June. 
The award was received by Michael McGhie (pictured), who has been an advisor since the scheme began in July 2006 and is now one of nine pro bono lawyers involved.
Development Worker, David Wildman, commented:
‘We are delighted to have received this recognition which highlights the valuable contribution made by all our lawyers – for free and in their own time. To date, they’ve seen 235 people and given 130 hours of free advice, worth around £23,600. From feedback received, the service is well regarded by clients and advice agencies and is filling a genuine gap in provision in the borough.’
Appointments are available by calling Helpdesk (0161) 272 0666
General legal guidance @ Bury Law Centre – weekly on Weds eves
Employment advice @ Bury Law Centre – 2-weekly on Tues eve
Bury Law Centre Open Day 25 June 2008
The event marked the formal opening of additional interviewing facilities, office space and a training / conference room to expand our base at 8 Bank Street, Bury.
The Mayor of Bury kindly attended along with 40 invited representatives from Bury Metropolitan Borough Council, high street solicitors and a broad range of third sector agencies,.
In her welcome speech, Treasurer Miranda Nathans marked another significant milestone in the growth of Bury Law Centre over it’s first 5 years and thanked
the W O Street Trust Foundation for the grant that had enabled the newly acquired conference and training rooms to be equipped and furnished.
The focus of the day was on partnership work and tailoring the Law Centre’s services to improve access for the vulnerable and disadvantaged local people.
Law Centre staff will now develop further links with four agencies and information from three more will be included in our Helpdesk directory service.
An evening session was held to allow local Council members and colleagues from outside Bury to attend more easily. A strong contingent of individuals and organisations involved in pro bono work led to a productive discussion on developing the Law Centre’s volunteer legal services program, including further training for advisors.
The team at Bury Law Centre are grateful to everyone who attended and look forward to building on new and existing links as a result of the day.
Managing Solicitor Kevin Miles said:
“It was great to be able to bring this many people from diverse voluntary and professional backgrounds into the Law Centre who are all committed to reducing inequality and promoting access to specialist legal advice to further this goal. The additional space we have acquired has made this sort of event possible and importantly has improved our facilities for interviewing clients. ”
2007
Launch of Employment Lawyers Association / LawWorks advice clinic, July 2007
Bi-Lingual Barrister at Outreach Clinic, June 2007
from the Sukula family asylum campaign, February 2007
2006
Launch of Outreach Clinic in East Bury, June 2006
Launch of Pro-bono 'Legal Guidance Clinic', May 2006
Bury Law Centre – Electronic Immigration Network article, May 2006
2005
Law Centres Federation news – Bury Law Centre Open Day at new Bank St premises, September 2005
Bury Law Centre wins the Guardian Public Service Award for Finance, 2005
raising awareness of the importance of Legal Aid, April 2005
2004
Tenant faced with eviction wins right to remain in their home, Sept 2004
2003
Lord Chancellors speech – launch of new Law Centres including Bury, June 2003
