Monday 28 March 2011

The Community Legal Advice website is closing

From the 6 April 2011, access to Community Legal Advice (CLA) online services will change as the website closes.

Information about legal aid and how to access CLA services, including the legal adviser directory and the eligibility calculator will be moving to Directgov.

Directgov is the government website for members of the public that has information about government services all in one place.

This change is part of a cross-government initiative to reduce the number of government websites making it easier and simpler for people to find the information they need.

The CLA telephone service remains unchanged (0845 345 4 345) and BSL users will still be able to access legal advice via webcam through the RAD website.

What is moving on to Directgov?

There is now a dedicated section about legal aid on Directgov under the government, citizens and rights section.

To find advice on specific subjects such as debt, employment, housing etc. the search function on the directgov website will take people to the relevant content.

These pages then include links to other websites where people can find more information.

Information about CLA and some of the key tools from the CLA website are in the process of being moved to directgov so the changes listed below will not be live until 6 April when the CLA website closes. This is an advance warning of the new links so you can update them on 6 April.
• Eligibility calculator – this will be moved onto Directgov from 6 April. The link to go there directly will be legalaidcalculator.justice.gov.uk
• The legal adviser directory - this will be moved onto Directgov from 6 April. The link to go there directly will be legaladviserfinder.justice.gov.uk
• ‘Call me back’ form for the CLA helpline – this will sit on the Directgov website from 6 April. You will be able to access this through our page on the Directgov directory www.direct.gov.uk/contactCLA.

Anyone using the current CLA website address from 6 April will see a page that says information on CLA is now on Directgov.

For further information on any of the changes mentioned above, please email websites@legalservices.gsi.gov.uk

Reminder: Recycle all your CLA leaflets from 31 March

Earlier this year we reviewed all the CLA materials we provide and as a result discontinued the 18 advice leaflets. We wrote to you in January about this change and this is a reminder to recycle any leaflets you have after 31 March as the content will no longer be up to date.

We are still producing the CLA helpline leaflet and you can order copies of this free of charge by emailing orderleaflets@communitylegaladvice.org.uk.