Legal information guides and links

Community Legal Advice produces two series of guides to help you with your problems. We also provide links to information on topics not covered by these guides.

Information guides give you basic information if you're not sure what you can do about your problem. You can download them in PDF format, or order free copies using our English order form or our Welsh order form.
Self-help guides will give you more detailed information on your rights. These are available to read online or to download in PDF format.
Useful links will help you to find information from other websites on topics not covered by these guides.

Our guides give you an outline of you legal rights. They are not a complete guide to the law and are not intended to be a guide to how the law will apply to your or any specific situation.

The guides are regularly updated but the law may have changed since they were written, so information in them may be incorrect or out of date. If you have a problem, you will need to get more information or personal advice to work out the best way to solve it. See the 'Further help' section in each guide for sources of information and advice.

Information guides

Many people do not realise they have a problem that could be helped by legal advice. Some also take a long time to recognise the need to take action and seek help. This range of basic guides has been designed to encourage people to take the first steps to getting help.

Self-help guides

These are more detailed guides designed to support people to work through their problems themselves. They are mostly used by people who are able to 'self help' confidently. They can also be used as an additional resource for advice providers. These guides are only available online.

Dealing with debt - This guide is being reviewed. In the meantime you can find information on this topic by visiting the National Debtline.
Employment - This guide is being reviewed. In the meantime you can find information on this topic by visiting the Citizens Advice website.
Divorce and separation - This guide is being reviewed. In the meantime you can find information on this topic by visiting Advice Now - Divorce a survival toolkit.
Renting and letting - This guide is being reviewed. In the meantime you can find information on this topic by visiting the Shelter website.
Losing your home - This leaflet has now been replaced, please visit our Losing your home web guides.
The human rights act - This guide is being reviewed. In the meantime you can find information on this topic by visiting the Equality and Human Rights Commission website.
Claiming asylum - This guide is being reviewed. In the meantime you can find information on this topic by visiting the Refugee Council website.
Welfare benefits - This guide is being reviewed. In the meantime you can find information this topic by visiting the Advice Guide on benefits.
Wills and probate - This guide is being reviewed. In the mean time, you can find information about this topic by visiting the Directgov - Wills and Probate site.
Dealing with the Police - This leaflet is being reviewed. In the meantime you can find information on this topic by visiting Advice Guide - Police Powers.
No-win, no-fee actions and Personal injury - This guide is being reviewed. In the meantime you can find information on this topic by reading the Advice Guide fact sheet on claiming compensation for personal injury. (PDF).
Medical accidents - This guide is being reviewed. In the meantime you can find information on this topic by visiting Action Against Medical Accidents.
Community care - this leaflet has now been replaced with our Care at home and Residential care web guides.
Education - This guide is being reviewed. In the meantime you can find information on this topic by visiting the Advisory Centre for Education.
Immigration and nationality - This guide is being reviewed. In the meantime you can find information on this topic by visiting the Refugee Council.
Mental health - This guide is being reviewed. In the meantime you can find information on this topic by reading the Advice Guide on help with mental healh problems.
Alternatives to court - This guide is being reviewed. In the meantime you can find information on this topic by visiting adr now.
Family mediation - This guide is being reviewed. In the meantime you can find informaiton on this topic by visiting Advice Now - Family mediation.
Veterans - This guide is being reviewed. In the meantime you can find information on this topic by visiting the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency website.
Domestic violence, abuse and harassment - This leaflet has now been replaced, please visit our Domestic violence, abuse and harrassment web guides.
Care proceedings - This guide is being reviewed. In the meantime you can find information on this topic by visiting the Family Rights Group.
Turned down for DLA/AA? Think you´re not getting enough? (produced by ASA Advicenow)
How to handle an interview under caution (produce by ASA Advicenow)

Useful links

Buying and selling property - For information on this topic, please visit Advice Guide - Problems with buying and selling a home.
Problems with goods and services - For information on this topic, please visit Consumer Direct.
Equal opportunities; Racial discrimination and Rights for disabled people - For information on this topic, please visit Advice Now - is that discrimination.
Living together and your rights if you separate - For information on this topic, please visit Advice Now - Living together
Dealing with someone else's affairs - For information on this topic, please visit the Office of the Public Guardian.
Neighbourhood and community disputes - For information on this topic, please visit Directgov - Neighbour disputes
Changing your name - For information on this topic, please visit Advice Guide - Change of name