Representation in court hearings on arrears

The council does not offer this service. However, if you are a homeowner or tenant who has been summoned to court because of mortgage or rent arrears (called ‘hearings in possession proceedings’), you can still get free legal representation through certain schemes.

County court housing advice and representation schemes

These aim to provide free, independent and confidential advice and representation to people who either have not previously obtained advice and/or are without legal representation.

Most schemes have been initiated by advice agencies and/or solicitors in private practice who attend court on a voluntary basis, but the impetus for some has come from the courts.

The way in which schemes are organised varies considerably. The main distinctions are:

• some deal with either mortgage or rent cases - others with both
• activities at court are commonly limited to dealing with repossession cases, but some also provide help with other matters, e.g. debt problems unrelated to housing
• most involve duty advisers attending court on a rota basis on set days, when cases are listed for hearing. Only a few have a permanent or daily presence at court
• some are staffed by advisers from only one advice agency, others by advisers from several agencies, including local solicitors' firms.

As well as performing their core role, these schemes are well placed to identify other advice needs that might otherwise not be met. Few can meet clients' every need for advice, but duty advisers are often able to make referrals to agencies that can.

For more information on this service, please use the contact details below.

Further information

Duty Solicitor
Bow County Court
96 Romford Road
London E15 4EG
Tel: 020 7536 5200

Duty Solicitor
Clerkenwell and Shoreditch County Court
The Gee Street Courthouse
29 - 41 Gee Street
London EC1V 3RE

Pid No: 110