Archive Website of the UK government

Free legal advice for housing, money and financial problems

For free advice about housing or money concerns, see the organisations below.

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice can help you with legal, money and other problems by providing free information and confidential advice from over 3,200 locations around the country.

• Find your nearest Citizens Advice Bureau office Opens new window

Shelter

Shelter offers free confidential advice on housing, debt, welfare benefits, care and health needs (including disability rights and entitlements). In England telephone 0808 800 4444, and in Wales telephone 0845 075 5005.

• Shelter online advice service Opens new window

• Shelter Wales website Opens new window

Financial Ombudsman Service

The Financial Ombudsman Service is a free and independent service that helps settle disputes between consumers and UK-based businesses providing financial services. For example, they might be able to help if you are having a problem with an insurance company or bank.

• The Financial Ombudsman Service Opens new window

The Money Advice Service

For independent advice about money issues (for example, loans, mortgages, savings, taxes and pensions) contact the Money Advice Service.

• The Money Advice Service Opens new window

Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS)

For free and confidential counselling on debt problems including budgeting and credit advice, contact the CCCS.

• How to contact the Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) Opens new window

National Debtline

The National Debtline offers free, confidential and independent help over the phone for people in England, Scotland and Wales. You can call their helpline and also download publications from their website.

• Contact National Debtline Opens new window

Free legal advice for immigration and asylum problems

For free advice about immigration or asylum, see the organisations below.

Refugee Council

The Refugee Council provide information and advice to asylum seekers and refugees. They also provide a service for children who arrive in the UK alone and to help adults find employment.

• Refugee Council Opens new window

Asylum Aid

Asylum Aid provides specialist legal representation and advice to people seeking asylum in the UK.

• Asylum Aid Opens new window

Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner

The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) is responsible for ensuring that all immigration advisers meet good practice requirements.

• Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner Opens new window

Free legal advice for consumer problems

For free advice about consumer problems see the organisations below.

Consumer Council for Water

If you are unhappy with how your water or sewerage company handles your complaint, you could ask the Consumer Council for Water to take up your complaint.

• Consumer Council for Water Opens new window

Office of Fair Trading

The Office of Fair Trading enforces consumer protection and competition law. Their website offers general advice on consumer rights in the UK.

• Office of Fair Trading website Opens new window

Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA)

ABTA regulate travel agents throughout Britain and help to protect consumers by enforcing rules and regulations. They can offer advice on how to solve problems you might be having with a travel agent.

• The Association of British Travel Agents website Opens new window

Free legal advice for health and injury problems

The following organisations can provide you with advice about any health and safety problems you might be having or if you have been injured.

Health and Safety Executive

The Health and Safety Executive work to protect the rights and responsibilities of employees. They also make sure employers understand their legal responsibilities in the workplace.

• Health and Safety Executive Opens new window

Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL)

The APIL website offers advice and information on your rights if you have been injured and can help you find a solicitor or legal adviser.

• Association of Personal Injury Lawyers Opens new window

Free legal advice for problems at work

If you are having problems at work, for example with pay or discrimination, see the list below for organisations offering free help and advice.

Acas (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service)

Acas provide general information on employment rights and responsibilities and can also help employees and employers who are involved in an employment dispute to identify practical ways of sorting out the problem.

• Acas Opens new window

Pay and Work Rights Helpline

This confidential helpline provides help and advice on government-enforced employment rights. It provides information on issues including National Minimum Wage rights, agency workers and working hours.

• Pay and Work Rights Helpline

Equality and Human Rights Commission

For advice or information about discrimination, equality and human rights you can contact the Equality and human Rights Commission.

• Equality and Human Rights Commission website Opens new window

Help and advice in Welsh

You can get information about dealing with your legal problems in Welsh by following the link below.

• Free legal advice for financial, housing and consumer problems - Legal Services Commission (Welsh language) Opens new window