A London charity has been awarded funding for its programme offering free legal advice to community organisations in the capital.

City Bridge Trust, the City of London Corporation’s charitable funder and London’s largest independent grant giver, awarded LawWorks £162,700.

It will use the funding to develop its Not-For-Profits programme which supports small charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises which need legal advice but cannot afford it.

LawWorks, based in Holborn, helps the legal sector give free advice to small non-for-profit organisations as well as individual Londoners. It matches small local organisations with volunteer solicitors offering free support.

In 2016, around 2,350 hours of free advice were given through the programme, with 144 organisations feeling the benefit. The main areas of law advised on were property, commercial, and employment law.

Alison Gowman, Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s City Bridge Trust committee, said:

“This charity offers a fantastic service which is actually making organisations become more sustainable and resilient.

“Most charities’ resources are already scarce so it can be a tough decision to decide whether or not to use funds on legal services. LawWorks is offering lifeline to small organisations and vulnerable people who cannot always afford to pay for legal advice which could really make a difference.

“City Bridge Trust is committed to tackling disadvantage across the capital and making London a fairer and better place to live.”

Martin Barnes, Chief Executive of LawWorks, added:

“The grant will enable us to continue and develop this service, ensuring that organisations working with vulnerable people and communities can continue their vital work. The feedback we receive from charities underlines the power of pro bono and the amazing difference it makes in supporting not-for-profits and their beneficiaries in London.’

City Bridge Trust makes grants totalling around £20 million per year towards charitable activity benefitting Greater London.

The charitable funder has awarded more than 7,700 grants totalling over £370 million since it first began in 1995. It helps achieve the City Corporation’s aim of changing the lives of hundreds of thousands of Londoners.

ENDS

Media Enquiries

Kristina Drake

Media Officer, City of London Corporation

Kristina.Drake@cityoflondon.gov.uk

07710860884 / 020 7332 1125