Demand For Free Legal Advice Outstripping Resources

Monday, 27 June 2022 09:37

By Caoimhe Harney

Free Legal Advice Centres (FLAC) saw a surge in calls to its information line last year.

Demand for free legal advice in Ireland is outstripping resources.

According to FLAC's annual report, over 13,000 calls were made last year to their information and referral line.

Almost 30% of all queries related to family law matters such as divorce, separation, domestic violence and custody and maintenance issues, up by about 13% on 2020, while employment law issues such as dismissals and contracts accounted for 15%.

The report outlines that, in addition to 13,147 calls to the Flac information line, there were 2,729 consultations on more complex matters, mainly concerning family and employment law, at its phone advice clinics.

The independent Law Centre mainly represents people experiencing poverty, disadvantage and exclusion.

The Free Legal Advice Centre number is (01) 906 1010

Chief Executive of the free legal advice centre Eilis Barry, spoke with Ciara Noble on Monday's Kildare Focus, she said they've been overwhelmed with calls over the past year:

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