Harrow Law Centre, Greater Manchester Law Centre, and the Law Centres Network

These projects offer strengthened support to victims of crime who speak English as a second or additional language (ESL).

Project Partners

Harrow Law Centre (HLC) provides a free and independent legal advice service to people who live or work in the London Borough of Harrow. They have a specialism in several areas of law including Housing, Asylum, Children and Young People, and EU Social Welfare, and have been delivering this project since 2019.

Greater Manchester Law Centre (GMLC) provides access to free and independent legal advice and representation for people who could not otherwise afford it, and campaigns for social justice, including the restoration of legal aid. GMLC joined the project in 2021, building on the learning of HLC’s work.

For their project with The Bell Foundation, the law centres have partnered with the Law Centres Network. The Law Centres Network is the membership organisation and the national voice, representing Law Centres across the country.

About the Project

Harrow Law Centre, Greater Manchester Law Centre, and the Law Centre Networks improve the support given to victims of hate crime, domestic violence, slavery or exploitation and who speak English as a second or additional language.

The Law Centres have found that victims’ awareness of these crimes is high, however responses to them and services to support them may not adequately cater for their additional needs and as a result they may not be able to access justice. The Law Centres, in partnership with the Law Centre Network, have developed advice and guidance for legal professionals and police to improve support for victims. Through the network of Law Centres, these materials are distributed and further adapted to suit the demographic needs of other locations.

Project Objectives

• To provide high quality advice and representation to victims of crime who speak English as a second or additional language.
• To increase awareness and establish clear referral mechanisms.
• To develop, pilot and evaluate a toolkit and legal education programme for victims and stakeholders.
• To build capacity among other Law Centres to adopt the project model.
• To effect longer term change in access to justice for victims of crime.