Manchester CC and LSC commission £8.9m advice service

Manchester City Council and the Legal Services Commission have joined together to commission Manchester Citizens Advice Bureau to run a city-wide legal advice service.

The Manchester Community Legal Advice Service, which will receive £8.9m in funding over three years, will open on 14 October and operate from six sites as well as several outreach locations.

The CAB will run the service in conjunction with Shelter, Cheetham Hill Advice Centre and law firms Glaisyers and Platt Halpern.

The Manchester CLAS will offer general advice to legal representation on a full range of social welfare law and family problems.

Councillor Glynn Evans, executive member for adult services at Manchester City Council, said: “This will make it much simpler for Manchester residents to get the help and advice they need, and ensure any legal advice and representation they need is within easy reach."

Hugh Barrett, Executive Director at the Legal Services Commission, added: “Manchester CAB and its partner organisations are all experienced in delivering public legal services and have made a commitment to delivering joined-up legal services for vulnerable individuals in Manchester.”