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We use the law to change people’s lives

At Law Centre NI, protecting people and their rights is at the heart of everything we do. We offer free, independent and specialist legal advice, casework and representation in the areas of social security, employment and immigration.

Our areas of work

Our advisers provide free, confidential and specialist advice and legal support on social security, employment and immigration issues.

Social Security

Our social security team provides advice and representation to challenge unfair social security decisions.

Get social security help

Employment

Our employment team provides advice and representation on employment issues.

Get employment help

Immigration

Our immigration team provides advice and representation to migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.

Get immigration help

Latest news

Keep up to date with all the latest news from Law Centre NI.

Ronnie Vellem wins Lifetime Achievement Award

Ronnie Vellem wins Lifetime Achievement Award

Everyone at Law Centre NI is proud of the fitting tribute to our beloved friend and colleague, Ronnie, who posthumously won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Advancing Race Equality Awards last night.
High Court of England and Wales follows NI Court in Law Centre NI case to find breach of bereavement benefit claimant’s human rights.

High Court of England and Wales follows NI Court in Law Centre NI case to find breach of bereavement benefit claimant’s human rights.

The High Court of England and Wales decided that the refusal of a claim for Bereavement Support Payment by the bereaved spouse of a severely disabled women was unlawful.
Social Security Adviser Network Meeting

Social Security Adviser Network Meeting

Social security adviser? Don't miss our next adviser network meeting.
Belfast Pride 2022

Belfast Pride 2022

Law Centre NI proud to walk in solidarity with LGBTQIA+ people seeking sanctuary in Northern Ireland
Advice Changes Lives

Advice Changes Lives

‘Aminah’ was struggling when her income fell to £500 per month as a result of the Benefit Cap – a limit on the amount of benefit that claimants who are out of work can receive.
Join the Law Centre NI team as a Legal Officer

Join the Law Centre NI team as a Legal Officer

Law Centre NI is expanding its legal team and we are currently seeking a number of lawyers to join us.
Refugees are welcome

Refugees are welcome

Law Centre NI’s message at this year’s Belfast Pride Parade.
Lorraine Cox: an inspiration whose courage helped to secure fundamental change to the law on terminal illness

Lorraine Cox: an inspiration whose courage helped to secure fundamental change to the law on terminal illness

Law Centre NI would like to pay tribute to our brave and inspirational client, Lorraine Cox, following her death on 15 July 2022.
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Connect with us

Law Centre NI blog

Law Centre NI blog

Read about our work and how we are making a difference to people's lives in Northern Ireland.

Other areas of our work

Policy

Policy

Read about our policy work in the areas of social security, employment and immigration.
Resource library

Resource library

All our latest publications and resources in one place.
Professional learning

Professional learning

Are you an adviser? Enhance your skills and knowledge through our professional learning programme.
Quality

Quality

Quality of advice matters to us.

Migration Justice Project

Read about the dynamic and pioneering work of our Migration Justice Project and the team’s dedication to helping refugees, asylum seekers and migrant communities in Northern Ireland.

Find out more

Our impact in numbers

In 2022, Law Centre NI celebrates 45 years of working for social justice in Northern Ireland. During that time, we have helped thousands of people challenge decisions that affect their rights through free, independent and specialist legal advice, casework and representation.

+128%

Last year we gave 30,615 pieces of legal advice – an increase of 128% from the previous year.

583

We helped 583 clients with legal challenges during 2020-2021.

£890K

Last year we achieved over £890,000 in financial settlements for our clients.

Owen McCloskey from Law Centre NI went above and beyond in helping me with my case. Owen, to put it simply, was with me every step of the journey, showing an empathy and determination which eventually led to my case being more than satisfactorily resolved."

Michael O'Donnell

One of our clients

Winning the appeal has changed everything for me. Not only will I get the benefits I need, but the benefit cap has been lifted. Things have been so difficult for us, but now we can concentrate on our life and our health."

'Aminah'

Law Centre NI client

It is only now that I feel I can begin to lift my head from the stress and anxiety. Whenever I expressed my work situation to others, I felt that it fell on deaf ears until I came across you...You were able to listen to my situation, give me specific and relevant advice of my options and help me to see my case through in an unbiased manner."

'Peter'

A client who sought employment advice

We have nothing but praise for our Law Centre NI caseworker. We were inspired by her knowledge, honesty and work ethic. She was logical and so very professional in her approach and was thoroughly dependable. Thank you isn't enough. A 1000 'thank yous' wouldn't be enough."

Jacqueline

A client who got help with her PIP appeal