Portsmouth MP backs Community Legal Advice Centre

Sarah McCarthy-Fry, the Labour and Co-operative MP for Portsmouth North, praised the Portsmouth Community Legal Advice Centre (CLAC), when she visited recently and met with staff of the Centre to learn of the progress made since she attended the Grand Opening in October.

The Legal Advice Centre, situated in London Road, is one of the first of its kind to open in England. Jointly funded by the Legal Services Commission and Portsmouth City Council, this trailblazing service provides local residents with a one-stop shop for all of their advice needs. The Centre is run by Southern Focus Trust, along with the Portsmouth Citizens Advice Bureau, and falls within Sarah's constituency of Portsmouth North.

The Centre runs a court desk service at the Portsmouth Combined Law Courts, which helps individuals to avoid having their homes repossessed due to mortgage or rent arrears, and has successfully helped 86% of clients to date.

Sarah said: "I feel that it is important to be aware of what is available to those whom I represent, and also to be aware of any future possibilities and issues, so that I can help support the work of the CLAC for the benefit of my constituents."

The CLAC is an accessible service that offers free independent general and legal advice to residents of the city, who may in some cases previously have had no other option than to pay to see a solicitor. The six areas of specialist law offered by the Centre are: family issues, employment, housing, welfare benefits, debt, and community care.

Gail Macmillan, Manager of the CLAC, said: "Sarah is known for her passion for ensuring the welfare of her constituents and we are delighted to have her support. She can be relied upon to listen and take action, having raised issues in Parliament as a result of her work with Southern Focus Trust in the past, so we look forward to her continued support here at the Centre, which has already helped over 6,00 people."

For more information about the CLAC and its services, including the court desk, please visit: www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk/portsmouth .