David Lock MP, Parliamentary Secretary at the Lord Chancellor’s Department, is in Coventry today (Friday) to launch the Coventry Community Legal Service Partnership, which brings together the different funders and providers of legal and advice services to organise funding and service delivery more effectively in order to meet local priority needs.The CLSPs will also encourage the development of referral arrangements amongst providers, and ensure that local people are aware of, and have access to, help when they need it.

Such partnerships are a key tool in the development of the new Legal Services Commission (successor body to the Legal Aid Board).

As well as making efficiency savings, the new scheme aims to direct legal rights to those people who often slip through the net.

The work in Coventry and other pilot areas will make the Government’s vision of networks of quality assured advisers providing comprehensive legal advice and assistance to communities across England and Wales a reality.

The Community Legal Service was launched on 3 April 2000 and already has its own award-winning website at www.justask.org.uk.