Join our team of legal volunteers

Our volunteers are a source of essential support for people facing difficulties in their lives.

Are you passionate about access to justice?

NCLS is fortunate to have a team of over 70 volunteer solicitors who passionately dedicate their time to provide free advice on family law, general (civil) law, and employment law. Their invaluable contribution is a source of essential support for people facing difficulties in their lives.

Why volunteer with us?

Our free legal advice service relies on an army of volunteer solicitors who generously donate their time every month.

What does volunteering look like?

Volunteer solicitors advise up to six clients in a two-hour session. The appointments are pre-booked for you, and details of the client’s issues are provided before you speak to them. These advice sessions can be as frequent or infrequent as you want, be that once every three months or once a week.

What qualifications do I need?

You will require a valid practising certificate to offer our Free Legal Advice (FLA) service (solicitors and barristers, qualified with a minimum of one year’s experience or CILEX with a minimum of one year in the relevant area of law).

Why I volunteer

I feel very strongly about the need for access to justice, and as a qualified solicitor I am in the privileged position to be able to make a small contribution towards helping those who are often in desperate need of legal advice but cannot afford it.
Charles Cornford, FLA solicitor

Meet some of our legal volunteers

I am passionate about access to justice and the work Norfolk Community Law Service do is vital in helping those in our community who would not otherwise be able to access legal support and advice.

Frances Bailey

Mills and Reeve LLP

I feel very strongly about the need for access to justice, and as a qualified solicitor I am in the privileged position to be able to make a small contribution towards helping those within my local community who are often in desperate need of legal advice but cannot afford it.

Charles Cornford

Mills and Reeve LLP

I believe everyone deserves access to specialist legal advice during some of the most challenging times in their lives. As a family lawyer, I understand how vital early support can be in helping individuals and families move forward. Providing pro-bono advice allows me to give back to the community.

Laura Tuddenham

FM Family Law

Timely and clear guidance can change someone’s situation, confidence, and future. Contributing my time and expertise pro bono allows me to support individuals who might otherwise struggle to navigate complex legal issues alone. It matters to me to help build a community where everyone can understand their options and make informed decisions.

Ella Blake

HCR Law

I believe that there should be no bars to seeking legal support, least of all because you are facing financial difficulties, as it is often those individuals who need our help most. Regularly dealing with needs-based claims for vulnerable clients has shown me just how important flexible fee-structures and pro bono advice are.

Ben Green

Birketts

Far too many people do not have access to legal advice due to not being able to meet the costs. In employment law this creates a severe disadvantage for employees who may not be otherwise aware of their rights. I hope to help this growing demand and be part of a larger community effort.

Josie Grinell

Fosters solicitors

I have seen throughout my line of work the vital service that NCLS’s free legal advice sessions offer to people in need. Issues and disputes can arise at any time, and I volunteer to provide support to the community in which I work and live.

Sam Leaver

Howes Percival. General civil advice.

Speak to our volunteer co-ordinator, Niahl

He will be on hand to answer any questions you have about volunteering with NCLS.

SEND NIAHL AN EMAIL

The application process

We are happy to have an informal chat if that would be helpful, but these are the stages to signing up.

Step 1:

Get in touch

Contact our volunteer co-ordinator Niahl at niahl@ncls.co.uk for an application form.

Step 2:

Checks and references

We will ask you for references and to sign a confidentiality agreement.

Step 3:

Induction

Once the paperwork is done, we’ll arrange an induction session; this will include talking you through how the sessions work.

Frequently asked questions

What areas of law can I volunteer in?: Our FLA service provides free advice on family law, general (civil) law and employment law; however, if these aren’t your speciality we still want to hear from you.

How are clients referred to me?: Our in-house team does all the triage work and sends you basic details of the client and their case in the days leading up to the appointment.

What is the time commitment expected for volunteer solicitors?: Most volunteers give a few hours a month or commit to a regular advice session (e.g. one two-hour slot a month), but we’re flexible depending on your availability.

Will I receive any support, supervision or training while volunteering?: Yes. We offer an induction, shadowing opportunities and ongoing support from our staff and supervising solicitors. We also have occasional training sessions to offer to volunteers.

Am I covered by the charity’s professional indemnity insurance, or do I need my own?: All volunteer solicitors are covered under our professional indemnity insurance while working through NCLS.

What are the main types of clients and cases I will likely be working with?: No session is the same. You’ll be helping vulnerable individuals facing issues like family break-up, employment disputes, wills and probate, domestic abuse and housing.

How volunteering makes a difference

Volunteering is a great chance to build your skills and find new challenges while making a difference to your community. If you think you can spare a few hours a week we would love to hear from you.