The LawWorks Not-For-Profits Programme is expanding to provide free legal advice and support to more small organisations who give invaluable support to communities across England and Wales. Last year over 140 not-for-profit organisations’ cases were placed with volunteer lawyers through LawWorks.The pro bono charity is keen to make more charities, community groups and social enterprises aware of the free legal help they make available.
Chief Executive of LawWorks, Martin Barnes, said: “We are keen to ensure that smaller charities and not-for-profits are aware they can get free legal advice through this LawWorks programme. Timely legal advice can be vital to ensuring small not-for-profits are robust enough to survive. By supporting these organisations, which in turn provide lifelines to vulnerable communities, the LawWorks Not-For-Profits Programme reaches far beyond the immediate recipients of the original legal advice.”
Not-for-profits continue to play a significant role in the provision of vital public services. With charities under ever-increasing scrutiny, legal and regulatory compliance and the need to effectively manage risks have never been more important. The LawWorks Not-For-Profits Programme brokers free legal advice for smaller charities, connecting them with the skills and expertise of lawyers to support the continuation and expansion of their services to people in need. The issues tackled by not-for-profits supported by the programme vary enormously but commonly deal with poverty, disability, abuse, social exclusion, and special education needs.
‘Free Talks’, short online videos covering common legal issues faced by small not-for-profit organisations, are available as part of the programme. The free videos feature volunteer lawyers and cover a range of topics including charity issues (e.g. charity structures, setting up a CIO), property law (e.g. renewing a lease, basics of property law), employment law (e.g. disciplinary procedures and employee grievances) and intellectual property.