Our history

NCLS and its clients are indebted to the founding members of our organisation who, many decades ago, spotted increasing gaps in access to justice.

It is through their hard work and dedication that we have grown in the years since to employ nearly 40 members of staff and 180 volunteers, and help more than 4,500 people a year.

Key moments in our history

1978-1980

Public meeting at the Central Library Norwich to establish a working party to explore the possibility of opening a law centre

1980

Larkman Advice Scheme started at 71 Stevenson Road. A once-weekly free legal advice scheme provided by a rota of 10 pro-bono solicitors and volunteer receptionists, co-ordinated by Beverley Ogden. Later moved to 76 Cadge Road. The forerunner of the current NCLS Free Legal Advice (FLA) scheme.

1985

Meeting in City Council Chamber, chaired by the President of the Norfolk and Norwich Law Society, to discuss the formation of the Norwich and District Legal Services Committee (NDLSC). This was agreed and the new organisation was formed.

1987

Norwich City Council opened the Advice Arcade in Guildhall Hill.

NDLSC took up shared office accommodation on the second floor of 4 Guildhall Hill alongside 1 7 other voluntary organisations. The FLA service was restarted with pro-bono solicitors and specially recruited volunteers providing advice and signposting. Other NDLSC services were quickly developed, namely a Mortgage Repossession Support Service and a Welfare Rights and Medical Tribunal Representation Service.

1998

New constitution and new name as Norwich and District Legal Services (NDLS). We registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee with Charitable Status.

2000

The Immigration Advice Service, a new free service, was established in partnership with the Immigration Advisory Service (IAS) and staffed by a qualified solicitor. This was considered a timely development in view of the growing number of refugees and asylum seekers in Norfolk.

2004

We appointed Ros Brown as Law Centre Development Officer. Having been given notice by the City Council to quit the Advice Arcade after 19 very happy years there, we were fortunate in becoming sub-tenants of Age Concern Norwich (later to become Age UK) in their new premises at Boardman House, Redwell Street.

2004/05

It was decided that NDLS would take full responsibility for the development of the law centre concept, and the Law Centre Working Group was wound up. NDLS was granted observer status to the Law Centres Federation. At an Extraordinary General Meeting on 30 March, 2005. NDLS formally changed its name to Norfolk Community Law Service (NCLS).

2010

Official launch at the Forum of the Norfolk Community Advice Network (NCAN) following the award of the Big Lottery Advice Plus grant. Although NCAN had existed in some form since 2004, the grant enabled it to grow and influence the quality, scope and interconnectivity of advice provision in Norfolk. NCLS remains the lead organisation.

2013

Significant changes were made to civil legal aid and almost all family law cases lost access to legal aid. This led to the launch of the Welfare Benefits Representation Service and the Family Court Support Service. We saw a continuing increase in demand for our services with 2,160 clients, representing an increase of 26.4% over the previous year. In December 2013 NCLS moved to St Clements House, Colegate as sub-tenants of Voluntary Norfolk.

2020

We moved to new premises on Prince of Wales Road, the first time in NCLS’s history we had occupied a building on our own.

2025

To mark our 40th year of providing legal advice and to cope with ever-growing demand, we moved to bigger premises at 4 Duke Street. The new building brings major improvements to surroundings for staff, volunteers and clients alike.

I consider myself very fortunate to be represented by NCLS. The difference your advice has made is lifesaving. I could not have gone through the tribunal procedure without your advice and support. It was essential. My representatives were always professional, kind, clear and knowledgeable.
Client testimonial