Redcar-based Cygnet Law has demonstrated its commitment to supporting the local community by providing more than 500 hours of free legal advice in the last year.
Cygnet, which specialises in family law, mental health, conveyancing and wills and probate, provides a wide range of pro bono support encompassing charities, individuals and education projects.
This includes working closely with local charity EVA, which supports the victims of domestic violence, by hosting fortnightly advice drop-in surgeries where they offer free legal advice to those requiring support.
The law firm also is involved in Teesside University law clinics, which are student-led drop-in sessions, where the public can get advice on matters including divorce, adoption and domestic violence. The sessions are delivered by the University’s law undergraduates with professional support from experienced lawyers.
On top of the pre-planned pro bono work, the community-focused law firm offers frequent advice to a number of charities such as women’s centre My Sisters Place, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender charity Hart Gables, domestic violence service Foundation Refuge, forced-marriage charity HALO and social housing scheme New Walk.
Also, all potential clients of Cygnet are given a free 30 minute appointment where they are provided with initial legal advice regarding their case.
Peter Medd, Founder and Director of Cygnet Law, said: “We believe, as a Redcar-based practice, we have a social responsibility to support the surrounding community as we understand funding can be tight for charities, especially local ones, so anything we do to help, we find, is always greatly appreciated.
“We strongly believe that people, whatever their circumstances, should be able to access legal services and this is reflected by our pro bono ethos.”