Funding crisis forces law lifeline to close its doors
21 years of service will come to an end this month
A law centre that has provided free legal advice and support to thousands of people in need will close for good at the end of the month.
The board of directors at Renfrewshire Law Centre made the decision “with regret” to wind up the charity as a result of funding difficulties.
The centre was set up in September 1997 and since then has given free legal advice to thousands of people with legal problems.
Principal solicitor Jon Kiddie, 44, said the centre has seen its funding dwindle for the last ten years.
He said: “At our height during my term as principal, the law centre could afford to employ up to five lawyers who specialised in different backgrounds, with adequate full- time clerical support.
“However, various cuts have meant that we have had to reduce staffing numbers and hours to the extent that we can no longer offer the same eclectic range of legal services as before, and also meaning that the time we can devote to individual cases is much reduced.
“It’s not an exact science but the number of enquiries we are receiving for help feels like a lot more than there has ever been.
“We provide a help to people who really need it.”
Jon said most people who come to the centre needing help or advice are facing evictions or repossessions. They’ll now need to get legal help from a private firm.
Shirley McLean, convener of the law centre, said the funding has dropped from £200,000 a year back in 1997, down to just £95,000 this year.
There are also questions over future funding with a shift over to a competitive procurement model.
She explained: “Therefore, we as directors took the view that, not only is the sum of money inadequate, but moreover the uncertainty surrounding whether we would receive any money at all, or not, leaves staff and clients in the dark as to whether the centre can continue to represent client interests.
“This is unfair for staff and clients, and not appropriate for a professional organisation tasked with representing people at court in contentious litigation that can sometimes take years to resolve.
“Accordingly, we took the view that the only professionally responsible course of action was to close down the operation entirely.”
Renfrewshire Law Centre was central in organising the International Paisley Snail Conference back in 2012 which brought hundreds of legal delegates from across the world to the town. The centre’s company secretary, Richard Vassie, said: “This is very sad news, particularly when we reflect on all the excellent work that the law centre has done in the past.
“What makes our current situation all the more tragic is that, in today’s climate of economic austerity and welfare reform, there is no shortage of demand for the law centre’s services.
“If the money were there for it to continue, the organisation could be busier and more effective now than ever. Alas, it is not to be.”
The Law Centre will continue to operate legal advice dropin surgeries until the end of March, but unfortunately will no longer be able to take on longterm clients. Staff are currently notifying existing clients of the situation.
Any concerned parties may contact the Law Centre on 0141 561 7266.
The office on George Street will close to the public on Friday, March 30.