Blog

The Legal Advice Sustainability Scheme (LASS) is now open for applications, marking a new chapter in how LLST supports organisations delivering vital legal advice services in London and the South East.  The sector is operating in an increasingly challenging environment. Demand for advice remains high, while organisations continue to face pressures relating to funding, workforce capacity, governance, digital infrastructure and long-term organisational resilience.  [...]

Written by: Anne Lenton, Progammes Officer Last month, on 3 June 2026, the London Legal Support Trust hosted our in-person London Specialist Advice Forum (LSAF) session. The Forum brought together advice organisations to explore the growing impact of far-right activity on advice services, staff, and service users.   Ellie Cartwright, Community Outreach Officer from HOPE Not Hate, delivered a presentation [...]

Written by: Caroline Langdell, Senior Programmes Manager  The Centres of Excellence (COEx) Annual Report 2025 brings together data and insight from our 42 partners, all specialist free legal advice organisations working at the sharpest end of demand. Drawing on reflections from across the partnership, the report offers an up to date picture of the current operating environment for the advice sector — [...]

Written by: Caroline Langdell, Senior Programmes Manager  Every year, London Legal Support Trust (LLST) undertakes its Centre of Excellence (COEx) Annual Survey to understand how advice agencies across London and the Southeast are faring, what has changed, and where support is needed most. With the 2025 report now in the final drafting stages, [...]

Written by: Nadoya Reid, Communications and Information Officer International Women’s Day is a day to celebrate the women who have fought, and continue to fight, for equality, dignity, and justice. In celebration, it is important to take a moment for reflection. In the UK, women still face profound and persistent barriers when they seek legal protection, [...]

Written by: Nadoya Reid, Communications and Information Officer On Tuesday 13th January, our CEO, Nezahat Cihan, joined the launch of The Family Financial Resilience Partnership, a £2.2 million initiative aimed at helping thousands of London families access vital financial support.   The Family Financial Resilience Partnership (FFRP) is a collaboration between the GLA, London Citizens Advice and the London Legal Support Trust. [...]

Written by: Lukia Nomikos, Programme Officer at London Legal Support Trust 2025 has been another meaningful year for the London Specialist Advice Forum (“the Forum”) and its subgroups.   The Forum, founded by LLST and funded by City Bridge Foundation, continues to bring together frontline specialist free legal advice agencies from across London. Since [...]

Written by: Nadoya Reid, Communications and Information Officer ALP wins prestigious award at Advising Londoners Awards  The Advising Londoners Partnership (ALP) was awarded the Best Pan-London advice service on 18th November at the Advising Londoners Awards.   ALP is a strategic collaboration between the Greater London Authority (GLA), London Legal Support Trust (LLST), and the London Citizens Advice network in response to the cost-of-living crisis. This initiative is funded [...]

Written by: Lukia Nomikos, Programme Officer The free legal advice sector is under immense pressure, with increasing demand, limited funding, and workforce challenges around staff wellbeing and retention. For agencies providing immigration and asylum advice, these challenges are compounded by the double threat of hardline government policies and the rise of the far [...]

Written by: Nadoya Reid, Communications and Information Officer As we get ready for the launch of this year’s Centres of Excellence (COEx) annual survey, the 2024 review offers a vital warning about issues shaping the sector’s future. Alongside financial pressures and workforce strain, some agencies noted concerns in operating in increasingly hostile environments [...]