DAWN Advice: Reaching the Rural Parts Other Legal Advisors Can’t Reach

9/13/2011 6:51 AM EST

Free legal advice is closer than ever to people living in rural communities in Northumberland and Cumbria, thanks to high-tech video phone advice booths installed by a leading Northern legal advice service.

DAWN Advice has teamed up with the Citizens Advice Bureaux in Alnwick, Carlisle, and Ulverston to offer on-site video booths which mean face-to-face conversations with qualified experts in debt, welfare benefits, housing, family law and employment law are only a click away.

People needing free advice in any of these areas can now make an appointment with a DAWN Advice advisor, pop into their local CAB and benefit from a 1.5 hour interview and advice session.

Liz Chadwick, chief executive at DAWN Advice, said the aim of the service was to bring legal advice within reach of as many people as possible.

She added: “We have an outstanding resource here that we want to be able to share with as many people as possible – but we cannot be across the whole of the north at once. Video calling technology is now fast and affordable, meaning people can call into the CAB and be instantly in touch with our expert advisors.

“We are, of course, always available on the phone but sometimes being able to deal with experts face-to-face – or via a computer monitor – can really help get to the heart of the issues.

“This approach to providing legal advice services is not only allowing more people to access essential and impartial advice on a range of issues, but also helps to speed up the process by identifying what support is required, and who is the right person to help an individual without them having to contact numerous organisations.

“A lot of people prefer to receive face-to-face advice and the new video conferencing facilities allow people who face travelling difficulties to take advantage of free and impartial advice on a range of issues regardless of where they live or their capacity to travel.”

Anyone with legal worries – relating to debt, housing, employment, welfare benefits and family law – should contact DAWN Advice through the newly expanded Northern Debt Line for free and independent advice on 0300 33 33 44 5, or alternatively visit their local Citizens Advice Bureau.