Law Centres have existed since the early 1970s and work within their communities to defend the legal rights of local people.

Specialising in social welfare law, they have an in-depth knowledge of the issues communities face. They use this knowledge to help people save their homes, keep their jobs and protect their families.

Law Centres offer legal advice, casework and representation to individuals and groups. Spotting local trends and issues in the course of their work, they highlight them to bring about necessary policy changes and to prevent future problems. Law Centres also help build capacity within local communities by training and supporting local groups and educating people about the law and their rights.

All Law Centres are independent and operate on a not-for-profit basis. They are also accountable to their communities, with local people acting on their management committees.

Above all, they exist to improve the daily lives of the communities they work in.