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West End Extra - LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published: 16 May 2008

A need for legal help

• READING the story (Cuts and job fears hit Chinatown law service, May 9) it occurred to me that it is one of many being affected, perhaps we should look for more pro bono help.
This is where practising and retired legal representatives at all levels commit to give a set amount of time for free to the community.
In other words “goodwill”.
The “community” means individuals and community organisations.
With the loss due to more cuts in Citizens Advice Bureaux services as well the right to access good professional counsel is restricted.
Even to those like myself who have some idea what they are doing and can handle most legal problems themsevles, being given good advice is invaluable. This helps remove another social divide in our communities. A weekly session at a residents’, community, or any other amenity-based centre would be a vital community hub.
It just needs a bit of goodwill and organising.
The big boys use our money to impose on us, but we have to use our own to defend.
Ignorance of the law is no excuse, but then on the other side of the coin surely so is prevention of access to the law, no excuse.
Gary Saxton
Chepstow Road, W2

Send your letters to: The Letters Editor, West End Extra, 40 Camden Road, London, NW1 9DR or email to letters@westendextra.co.uk. The deadline for letters is midday Wednesday. The editor regrets that anonymous letters cannot be published, although names and addresses can be withheld.
Please include a full name, postal address and telephone number.
Letters may be edited for reasons of space.

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