The aim of the Legal Services Section is to provide in-house legal support for the various departments within Sedgefield Borough Council.
To avoid a conflict of interest it is often the case that the Legal Section's staff are unable to advise on some legal aspects to the general public.
Below you will find some of the sources legal advice may be made available.
In order for people to find legal advice easily and to provide confidence that the service received is of good quality, the Government has set up a Community Legal Service (CLS).
Its aim is to ensure that people can get information and help about their legal rights and understand how to enforce them in the right place and at the right time.
http://www.clsdirect.org.uk/index.jsp
Citizens Advice Bureau provide free, confidential and independent advice from various locations throughout the country including GP surgeries, hospitals, colleges, prisons and courts.
Advice can be made available face-to-face, by telephone or by e-mail.
Their advice helps people resolve numerous problems from debt, benefits and housing issues to legal, discrimination and employment matters. It is available to everyone regardless of race, gender, sexuality, age, nationality, disability or religion.
Its service is free, independent and confidential.
http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for the Government's welfare reform agenda. Its aim is to promote opportunity and independence for all. It delivers support and advice through a modern network of services to people of working age, employers, pensioners, families and children and disabled people.
Information about benefits and services you may be able to get and how to apply, including forms you can download.