Fife organisation marks a landmark anniversary

It marked the occasion with an event at Lochgelly Centre.

The community legal service was set up in 2009 to improve access to justice by providing free legal services to people in Fife who cannot afford to pay for legal services and who have difficulty accessing legal aid or other forms of legal representation.

A registered charity, it is directed by an independent board of trustees chaired by Derek Arnott, a retired solicitor with many years experience of the Scottish Legal System.

He said: “Fife Law Centre is a unique legal service focusing on preventative legal help and unmet legal need.

“We have an experienced team of four solicitors supported by two administrative staff, based in Ore Valley Business Centre, Lochgelly and providing legal representation to people across Fife. Over the past 10 years, Fife Law Centre has helped avert countless housing evictions and secured justice for many people in relation to welfare, employment and criminal injuries.”

The team works closely with other advice and support agencies such as housing services, welfare support and those working with abuse survivors.

Norma Philpott, chief executive of CARF (Citizens Advice and Rights Fife), was closely involved in setting up the centre, said the advice sector in Fife recognised a clear need for a community legal service and that need continues today.

Sheila Noble, co-ordinator of Fife Violence Against Women Partnership, added: “We value the legal expertise it brings to our partnership and they have developed a strong track record in securing financial compensation for victims of abuse.

“Their staff have a deep understanding of the complex issues that many abuse survivors face and are a key referral agency within our network of support. ”

The centre is funded by Fife Council and the Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB). More recently, the Access to Justice Foundation gave grant aid towards its work on Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority applications.