London Specialist Advice Forum

1. To provide a space for specialist free legal advice agencies to convene to discuss and share current issues, sector developments, funding options, projects, and collaboration opportunities.
2. To improve communication across the advice sector through forum meetings, sub-group meetings, and wider digital communications.
3. To improve sustainability and efficiency of the advice sector through encouraging the sharing of best practices, resources, and learnings from others within the sector and beyond.
4. To support the resilience of the advice sector through the peer network of attendees at the LSAF, and in sub-group meetings, providing a safe space for problem sharing and support.
5. To identify emerging issues, themes, and patterns within the advice sector to shape development work.
6. Use knowledge of identified issues to inform and share information on relevant developments with the wider sector, funding community, and key policy stakeholders where suitable. This knowledge will also be used to shape pilot projects as and when relevant.

We are always happy to welcome new forum members – advice agencies providing legal advice can join our quarterly meetings, and subgroup sessions.

If your advice agency provides legal advice in London or has a legal advice service focusing on London, you are welcome to join us – just fill in this short form, or contact [email protected]

Community Care Subgroup
Following on from the London Specialist Advice Forum (LSAF) the Community Care subgroup was developed to bring together advice agencies’ and lawyers specializing in community care to convene, discuss and share current issues, sector developments, funding options, projects, and collaboration opportunities.
Quarterly meetings
 Next meeting: TBC 

Legal Aid Billing Subgroup
The Legal Aid Billing subgroup was established following LLST’s Billing Project to bring together billing coordinators and those who do billing within their organizations to discuss key billing issues, support each other and improve the Legal Aid billing process.
Monthly meetings
Next meeting: Wednesday 22nd November at 11am-12pm  

Apprenticeship Subgroup
LLST host regular get togethers for apprentices/trainees in the advice sector who are undertaking their legal training and SQEs. The “Coffee and Catch up” session  take place in our offices near Chancery Lane, London, and provide an opportunity for apprentices to network, share tips and create a community in which they can support each other during their training and studies.
Every 6-8 weeks
Next meeting: Tuesday 31st October, 11am-12pm 

To find out more about the subgroups, email [email protected]