Providing access to justice and equality in Norfolk

About Norfolk Community Law Service

Our purpose is to identify unmet legal need in Norfolk and to work with partner agencies to provide free service to meet that need. We aim to provide access to justice and equality and particularly target our services at disadvantaged and vulnerable groups.

Our story

We were founded in 1985 as the Norwich and District Legal Service Committee, a team of volunteers who worked to fill gaps in legal service provision.

What we stand for

NCLS stands for justice and equality. Everyone has a right to access legal services; unfortunately, far too many people are being denied that right.

Our ambition 

To empower the people of Norfolk to assert their legal rights, using advice, education and representation. We strive to provide inclusive, accessible services delivered with compassion and kindness.

Our impact last year at NCLS

Across the county, more people are struggling with a wider and more complex range of problems than ever before; we remain committed to supporting them in a variety of ways.

£3.2m

in previously denied 
benefits recouped 

£2.3m

in debt written off or renegotiated

356

family court hearings attended

The law is very difficult to understand so organisations like NCLS are so important. So many places have lost that personal contact so being able to walk and see an advisor and form a relationship and ask questions directly was so important to me.

Make a one-off donation

Donate today to support our work and help people access fair and equal legal support.

£20

A donation of £20 would pay for an hour’s worth of specialist advice for someone

£50

If you can donate £50 it would pay the average cost of an interpreter for an hour

£100

A donation of £100 funds one of our core services for an hour

Meet the team who make it all possible 

We employ around 35 members of staff, but also rely on the support of around 180 volunteers in a wide range of areas.

Our funders

We receive incredibly valuable funding from a range of organisations and individuals from across the county and beyond.

Norfolk Community Advice Network (NCAN) 

NCAN works to ensure that Norfolk residents can access free, good-quality social welfare information, advice, assistance and representation at the time when they need it most.

Our partners

Our partners support us in a wide range of ways, from providing volunteers, to funding, to sponsoring events

Norfolk County Council logo

The staff members we have been provided with, to work on both immigration and general law-based enquiries, have been exemplary. Their absolute client focus is key to their successful outcomes – and I am sure this is mirrored across the organisation.

Julie Chaplin, Project Lead, Hanseatic Union

At NCLS we are committed to…

Our latest news and stories

New Chief Executive Officer at Norfolk Community Law Service

22 Jul 2026

New Chief Executive Officer at Norfolk Community Law Service Norfolk Community Law Service (NCLS) is pleased to announce the appointment…

  • News
  • Thoughts

Open letter to police crime comissioner candidates

14 Jul 2026

Open letter to Norfolk voters and Police Crime Commissioner candidates Norfolk Community Law Service is amongst six charities to have…

  • News
  • Thoughts

New website for Norfolk Community Law Service

9 Jul 2026

Our new website is designed to make it even easier for you to gain the information you need about our…

  • News

First Step To Safety: Justice for Norfolk’s Domestic Abuse Victims

9 Jul 2026

Norfolk Community Law Service (NCLS) has been awarded £499k over 5 years by National Lottery Community Fund, to run its…

  • Stories

Alison’s story

6 Jul 2026

Alison’s story Alison first contacted us in February 2023 and told us that their family had become separated because they…