University House

Our lawyers provide pro bono assistance to clients of University House, a legal advice centre and Access to Justice clinic in Tower Hamlets on two projects:

Exceptional Case Funding Applications

The provision of legal aid to a number of legal issues, including child and family matters, was severely cut following LASPO (Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012). However, legal aid funding can still be available if an individual demonstrates exceptional circumstances which mean navigating the court system on their own would be incredibly difficult. 

Since 2021, we have therefore been assisting individuals in making their applications for exceptional case funding in the context of child arrangement proceedings.

Our work helps individuals to obtain legal aid funding through the UK's exceptional case funding system – meaning they will not be alone when navigating the court system at an extremely difficult and emotional time in their lives. 

Disability Benefits Appeals 

In June 2023, we also began assisting individuals who are appealing decisions made by the Department of Work and Pensions with regards to their entitlement to, or scope of, disability benefits. 

So far, we have secured £17,000 of backdated payments for our University House clients. That work means individuals in need have been able to fill a significant income gap.