LawWorks

2.Main Content

This profile covers the LawWorks Mediation scheme, which is now available throughout England and Wales.

Further information is given below on:
Background
What disputes are eligible
Cost
How it works
Outcomes

Background
‘LawWorks’ is the operating name of the Solicitors' Pro Bono Group, and LawWorks Mediation is one of the projects which aims to provide legal services for free, to people who can’t afford a lawyer, but who are not eligible for legal aid. LawWorks provides legal advice, representation in court, and also mediation.

In 2002 LawWorks Mediation was launched as a joint project with the Bar Pro Bono unit and the Law Centres Federation. If you can’t get legal aid – either because your dispute is not suitable, or because your income or savings are just above the eligibility levels – then you can apply to LawWorks for free legal help and free mediation.
top

What disputes are eligible
The main aim of LawWorks is to offer mediation and legal advice to clients of an advice agency such as a Law Centre or CAB, although mediation referrals also come direct from the public, the courts and the national mediation helpline. It welcomes, in particular, cases involving:

housing
consumer
employment
accidents
debt

It does not take on community or family disputes, but refers applicants to other free or low-cost mediation services in these areas.
top

Cost
The service is provided on a pro bono basis – this means it is free to the parties. If needed, LawWorks will also provide free legal advice, and a free legal representative at the mediation. This is made possible by a panel of accredited mediators who have volunteered to mediate for no fees where LawWorks considers the case deserving of pro bono assistance.
top

How it works
If you phone the National Mediation Helpline for information about mediation, they can refer you to LawWorks if they think your case is suitable. You can also be put in touch through the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) and other commercial mediation providers, or via you local CAB or Law Centre.

LawWorks also runs mediation advice clinics at the Royal Courts of Justice CAB and at Brent CAB. Detilas of opening hours and phone numbers can be found on the LawWorks website. You can also ring LawWorks direct to discuss applying for mediation, or download an application form from their website. There is a link to the site at the bottom of this page.

You will be asked to fill in an application form about the dispute, with information about how you have tried to resolve it so far, and details of your financial resources. You will need to send copies of the main documents to do with the case. This will then be reviewed by a senior solicitor, to see if your case qualifies for help.

If LawWorks takes on the case, it will then contact the other party to discuss mediation, and find out if they are willing to take part.

Mediation meetings are usually planned to last three hours. However, LawWorks also deals with simpler matters and small claims cases which can often be resolved in one hour, and are sometimes handled by telephone mediation.

Mediations are generally arranged within one month of sending in the completed application form.

Mediations follow the same model as in Civil and commercial disputes.
top

Outcomes
As with all civil mediation, if you reach an agreement, a formal document is drawn up and signed by all parties. Around 70% of LawWorks mediations result in a settlement, either at the mediation, or shortly afterwards.
top

April 2008