East Surrey people WILL have CA support at court.
Citizens Advice Reigate & Banstead will still be able to support local residents facing legal action following closure of Reigate and Redhill courts. The service will be funded by the Access to Justice Foundation.
The foundation responded to a plea from Citizens Advice Reigate & Banstead after hearing that residents faced travelling to court as far as Guildford or Staines and would not have the special knowledge and support of their local bureau.
Now Citizens Advice will provide the new court desk service much closer at Crawley (Guildford County Court sitting at Crawley Law Court).
Elaine Parr, District Manager, Citizens Advice Reigate & Banstead said:
“We’re very grateful to Access to Justice for stepping in to make the new service possible. We will now be able to follow up case work and train new volunteers.
“It’s vital that people facing legal action, often for the first time, have someone to support them. Many are at risk of losing their homes and our court officer can often find a way forward that avoids the inevitable upheaval and unhappiness.
“The community gains too because the local authority avoids the responsibility and cost of finding accommodation for yet another homeless family.”
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