Free Representation Unit

Hello to all our new followers on BlueSky. Here's the lowdown on what we do. We'll post updates on our work and future developments.

We're looking forward to our Annual General assembly next Tuesday, 3rd November, during #ProBonoWeek. There's still time to let us know if you'd like to join us. Please RSVP to chief.exec@thefru.org.uk as soon as possible. #WeDoProBono

What’s it like to go through a Targeted Case Review? Our research highlighted two key issues: • Providing evidence within short timeframes • Mixed support from the Department for Work and Pensions Have you noticed this with the people you support? #WelfareBenefits #TargetedCaseReview

In case you missed it, we’re alerting residents to Amazon delivery scams. With #BlackFriday fast approaching, stay vigilant and #ScamAware 👇️ www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/crime/a...

Shame and stigma are keeping people from seeking debt advice www.rightsnet.org.uk/now/post/73075

£11.4bn in Universal Credit goes unclaimed each year, with 2.4 million eligible households missing out. Our latest blog examines new DWP figures and why benefit take-up matters. Read more: www.entitledto.co.uk/blog/2026/oc...

Welcome to those joining day 2 of our social security legal training. Today we are joined by Daniel Hallstrom, Michael Reed and Brandi Amiss Towler. We hope you enjoy the training and good luck with the legal test this afternoon. #ClinicalLegalEducation

Welcome to everyone who has joined day 1 of our social security legal training today, including colleagues from Essex advice agencies. We hope that you find the training useful and enjoyable. #ClinicalLegalEducation #SocialSecurityLaw

#WinOfTheWeek Our social security tribunal representation service makes a difference for our clients and volunteers. Congratulations to Muhammad T. M. Bhatti, Abou Kamara and Sarah Barrie for giving #AccessToJustice to our clients. #FreeLegalRepresentation #ClinicalLegalEducation

A majority of PIP recipients undertake economically valuable or wellbeing-enhancing activities that they could not do without support. Close to half (47 per cent) report that the benefit enables them to do at least one "economically valuable" activity, including working, training or caring.

This Pro Bono Week from the 2-6 November, join legal teams across the UK taking part in The Great Legal Bake and raising vital funds for free legal advice charities. 👉 Sign up your team today: zurl.co/Lk32w #AccessToJustice

1/5🧩Our new report, funded by @nuffieldfoundation.org, shows that people are being left in the dark when public bodies use #AI and algorithms to make decisions about their lives.

We are very pleased to welcome our new Assistant Legal Officer for employment Rebecca Linford today. Rebecca comes to us with a wealth of employment law experience gained at the charity Protect and as a FRU volunteer. It's great to have you on board as a legal officer Rebecca! #EmploymentLaw

Repeat after me: 1) PIP isn't an out of work benefit. It is a benefit paid to disabled people to pay for the extra costs of living with a disability. 2) Some PIP claimants work. Some PIP claimants will never able to work at all. 3) Impoverishing people doesn't get them closer to employment

🧑‍🎓 Are you a student looking to get some practical experience? Join us as a volunteer to enhance vital skills like communication, problem-solving & teamwork, all while giving back to your community! We have in-person & remote roles available, so volunteering can fit around your studies ⤵️

Catherine lives with anxiety, depression, chronic pain and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). They were signed off work in 2021. In this blog, they spoke to us about the importance of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and how it enables them to live a better life 👉 https://bit.ly/3UtMGJt

Over 1 in 5 people in the UK live in a 'legal aid desert', with the most significant gaps being in housing, immigration, family and employment and crime. More and more legal aid providers have been forced to close across the country. Access to justice should be available for all.

#WinOfTheWeek pays tribute to the Inns of Court @innertemple.org.uk @graysinn.bsky.social @middletemple.bsky.social and Lincolns's Inn. Each Inn is a generous funder of our service. Our charitable objective to train future lawyers aligns perfectly with the educational purpose of the Inns.

1/2 We're hiring: Justice First Fellow 📢 This is an exciting opportunity to join PLP as a Justice First Fellow, based in Wales. Run by Legal Education Foundation, the Fellowship is a 2-year, fully funded legal training programme for aspiring social justice lawyers.

Looking forwards to meeting potential new volunteers at the @thebarcouncil.bsky.social Pupillage Fair this Saturday. Please come to say hello, to hear about our work and how it can help to build the essential skills for a legal career. #WeDoProBono

Thanks to the lovely people at Citizens Advice Braintree & South Essex for inviting us to their team meeting today. It was great to talk about how we work together for the benefit of the people of south Essex, funded by Essex Community Foundation. #WeDoProBono

Last chance to register for tomorrow's webinar. Join us for the Geography of justice: a panel discussion on the LexisNexis Legal Aid Deserts 2026 report. ⚖️ 🗓️ Thurs 15 Oct ⏲️10–11am BST Register here 👉 https://ow.ly/cqgQ50ZWSlZ #LegalAid #RuleOfLaw #UKLaw

Not everything has to be sweet for this year's Great Legal Bake! Sausage rolls, samosas and savoury scones are perfect for sharing with colleagues and often gone in no time.🧀 👉 Get involved in this year's Great Legal Bake: zurl.co/PJ0Oz #AccessToJustice

#WinOfTheWeek - Congratulations to FRU volunteer Michael Mannering for doing such a great job for his client. This is why legal representation is so important for litigants who have no prior experience and need someone who is genuinely on their side. #WeDoProBono #EmploymentLaw

Our Annual General Assembly will take place during #ProBonoWeek this year. Please join us to hear about our work, and to hear from Heidi Stonecliffe KC, @thebarcouncil.bsky.social Chair in 2027. Grateful thanks to Skadden for hosting us. Please RSVP to chief.exec@thefru.org.uk #WeDoProBono

Good news for children in families with no recourse to public funds as more will now be eligible for free school meals in England. Schools and govt should work together to ensure all eligible children can benefit from this expansion. www.gov.uk/government/p...

We know that abolition of the two-child limit has already improved the health, learning and happiness of children. It's time for all political parties to look to build a better future for everyone, not argue about re-running failed experiments of the past.

We're pleased to share that 11 Law Centres are recipients of Legal Support Grants from The Access to Justice Foundation. The £15 million programme will support 48 organisations across England and Wales over the next two-and-a-half years. (1/5) 🧵

The Great Legal Quiz is back! 💡 Are you ready to put your knowledge to the test and battle it out for the title of national champion? Join us by hosting your own quiz night, either virtually or in person, on Wednesday 25th November. Sign up now: zurl.co/sI0jG

📣 We have recently opened a NEW drop-in service in Rustington. You can find our adviser at St Peter & St Paul Church - 77 The Street, Rustington, BN16 3NL. 1st Wednesday every month 4pm - 6pm (in the church) 3rd Wednesday every month 4pm - 6pm (in the church hall) No appointment necessary!

New: Immigration Caseworker/Solicitor

www.westminster.ac.uk/zone29/westm... We look forward to meeting future FRU volunteers at the University of Westminster Volunteering Fair today. Please come to say hello to Brandi Amiss Towler and hear more about our work. #WeDoProBono

We're grateful to the members of Landmark Chambers for supporting our service. We can only maintain our service, representing people who can't afford a lawyer and training the lawyers of the future, with the help of the legal profession. #WeDoProBono

A new trade union has just been officially registered, the UK Hospitality Union It's a v under-represented part of the workplace re. unions: "Members include...baristas, hotel staff, restaurant staff, chefs, event caterers, bar staff, housekeeping." Be interesting to see how they fare

Huge thanks to everyone at 11 KBW as always! #WeDoProBono

Arranging your diary for autumn? Chair Kirsty Brimelow KC has a date for your calendar. Join this year's Bar Conference on Saturday 14 November. For more on the programme, speakers and ticket options ➡️ https://bit.ly/4wPl935 @kirstybrimelow.bsky.social

If you live in Rustington and need advice, pop into our new outreach! Find our adviser at St Peter & St Paul Church - 77 The Street, Rustington, BN16 3NL. 1st Wednesday every month 4pm - 6pm (in the church) 3rd Wednesday every month 4pm - 6pm (in the church hall) No appointment necessary!

Connecting to the community 🫱🏾‍🫲🏿 Yaa Dankwa became a barrister, and later a mentor, to contribute to the community. She came to the Bar knowing no one. Now, connecting with students about the real issues they face is what makes mentoring worthwhile. Ready to connect? Register: buff.ly/a4INulP

🧠 AdviceUK has welcomed the government’s £343m investment in up to 159 new neighbourhood #MentalHealth centres across England, but said free and independent advice services must be embedded alongside NHS care. Our #NewsAndComment section discusses this and more: hi.switchy.io/_fgS

Do you know of any veterans or service personnel in Central Devon being chased by the DWP or MOD to repay supposedly overpaid benefits? If so, could you ask them to contact MP, Mel Stride, as he wants to hear from them. #DWP #MOD #overpayments #WPS #AFCS #CentralDevon #MP #MelStride

Counsel Magazine has just published their latest issue! 🗞️ Check out their Bar student and pupillage applicant guide ⚖️ ✍️ buff.ly/guFRZd2

85% of UK adults think free, independent advice should be an essential local service. 89% agree that getting advice early can stop problems getting worse. That support needs to be matched by investment in the advice services people rely on. Read our new research @adviceuk.bsky.social bit.ly/4d44EIF

A reminder that bookings for our forthcoming training days will open on Monday 5th October. Employment can be booked from 08.00 and social security from 09.00. Bookings will be made through Eventbrite, links published on our website on the training days page. www.thefru.org.uk/volunteers/a...

Huge thanks to everyone at @1crownofficerow.bsky.social for this brilliant support for our service. #WeDoProBono

@linklaters.bsky.social #WinOfTheWeek celebrates Matthew Bird, our latest secondee from Linklaters. Thanks to Matt for grabbing the opportunity with both hands, being a fantastic person to work with and for being a brilliant employment lawyer. Best wishes and thanks Matt! #EmploymentLaw #EmpLaw

Can you help?

For 87 years, we’ve been a charity working for the whole of society. We are: ✅ here for you when you really need us ✅ helping to build a fairer society for everyone #WeAreCitizensAdvice. We are #ThePeoplesChampion 💙

#WinOfTheWeek celebrates the contribution of Richard Gillingham, who leaves us today after 2 years as a legal officer. Richard is a complete master of employment law and practice, with a fantastic way of engaging with people. Good luck and thanks Richard! #EmploymentLaw #EmpLaw #WeDoProBono

What would you say to anyone considering signing up as a mentor? "Just do it." 🙌 Sam Hillas KC knows why it's transformative. As a mentor, open doors for an aspiring barrister. As a mentee, gain guidance from someone who's been where you are. Register: 🔗 buff.ly/MQejWHc