Bringing Law To The People

[Barmaid]

I sense a growing discord about those who can get legal advice and those who cant. By and large the "free half hour" by solicitors is now non existent (this was operated thru the legal aid green form scheme). Some lawyers still offer this, but it mean Joe (or Josephine) Public has to get into a lawyer's office with an appointment during the day.

The internet is full of charlatans. But there are some v good sites out there - this one is particularly good.

How attractive do you think a "free legal surgery" would be to those who could get to their local pub/garden centre/coffee shop outside working hours? It would only offer an initial view, but might give those who are excluded from paying high legal fees a point in the right direction and then there are ways of funding for cases that have merit?

What do people think? Just an idea I am chucking around.

[bednobs]

i think it would be very attractive and totally overrun

[bednobs]

and if you mean you, good on you.
you might be able to get some form of payment for it in the way of local firms being recommended by you after the free bit was up. or by asking people for a small contribution

[Mamyalynne]

It certainly is a very good idea, as you say so many are out on a ledge with no one to help them - as Bednobs says it would be hugely popular.

[Buenchico]

It sounds like a good idea but you might need to make it clear what type of issues could be covered. For example, in many parts of the country there's quite a demand for information on immigration law but I suspect that it's something that many solicitors and barristers know relatively little about.

[Psybbo]

Sounds like a really good idea

[Zacs-Master]

Why don't you do it in association with CAB? People could then be referred to you if they are unable to help. Might stop time-wasters and enable you to spend more time with those who really need it.

[Barmaid]

I meant to say, the CAB is overloaded, they cant even be bothered to return my emails or calls. Nice idea Zacs and did try that.

[Zacs-Master]

Damn.

[2sp_]

Fantastic idea, BM. I've used (or tried to use) CAB before and found it really difficult to even speak to get to speak to someone and even then they were really vague and suggested I just make an appointment with a Solicitor instead. (It was a really basic query.)

Sometimes you just want to know if your problem is something you can get legal help with, or if it's just something that you have to live with.

[Peter Pedant]

anything free is worthless
I would charge a nominal fee £1 or £5

pilot it

and remember that the local pooper market is there for a profit and may want its cut

Prof Huntingdon O+G Barts felt strongly in the seventies that O+G clinic for women should be sited in places like supermarkets - and fifty y later I am not sure how he got on

[Peter Pedant]

I thought CAB - the only problem is that the advice given on your days will be strongly different to when youre not there

they have their strong points - debt and DoSS appeals are v good
neighbour disputes pretty crap

you could go along and see what they do and exclude it from your own practice

[Zacs-Master]

'anything free is worthless'. Answerbank?

[Mamyalynne]

It can't be as I have learned there are 'Pooper Markets' -new to me.

[Peter Pedant]

this is the law section not

" make *** stupid remarks section " go to chadderbank for that

and yes Zacs news it might be to you - but there is no such thing as a free lunch

so as I was saying .... anything free is worthless - make a nominal charge.....BM is floating a business plan ....

Have you noticed how little of the advice tenderly given on Ab is actually taken by the average punter ? Most of it seems to be a free second opinion on advice they have already paid for and they usually dont bother to say oh it was right after all - thanks

[wolf63]

PP - mamy and I would like to know what a 'pooper market' is.

[ummmm]

Yes PP, this is the law section so grow up and spell your word properly like an adult. Adding in stupid spellings makes your answers hard to understand.

[Mamyalynne]

BarMaid,please let me apologise for one last off the topic comment.



Peter

//this is the law section not

" make *** stupid remarks section " go to chadderbank for that //


Don't you dare accuse me of making silly remarks - do you read your own replies.

Don't bother to answer.

[Peter Pedant]

oh dear dear ladies
let us stop finger pointing and get back to Barmaid's point of

do you think it ( Barmaid's idea ) will get up and run ?

Yes Barmaid I think it is a good idea and will get up and run
You need a USP ( er "unique selling point" to the girls in the playground )
which you obviously have
and you need to market it as summit worthwhile - [ oops "something worthwhile", sorry poor readers ] which is why I think a small charge is wise

You will need to adjust from being instructed by uptodate solicitors with an eye on the charging clock [ and adjust to] to the usual clientele in the criminal section [ ' I sudduv hit him accidentally seven times, yeah ? ' ] - and also to the flood of the usual gormlessness like
'what's a pooper-market when its at home ?' posed as a serious question and not a time waster....

you have made this decision and good luck old girl .....

and ladies try to stop pulling plaits in the playground and making faces and give Barmaid some advice on her idea ..... please

[boxtops]

I think it's certainly worth a try, BM - I'd give it a go. There are times when I would really like a bit of advice, without the full solicitors' appointment business. I'll come :-)

[bednobs]

i have seriously been trying to work out what a pooper market is in this context, and struggling! Although on another note i agree with PP in that is something is worth having, it's worth paying for and that charging a nominal fee may weed out the true timewasters.