A new law centre has opened in Moss Side, Manchester—a rare piece of good news in an otherwise bleak landscape for the not-for-profit sector.
The Greater Manchester Law Centre opened last week on Princess Road, with seasoned legal aid lawyer Robert Lizar and community activist Dr Erinma Bell cutting the ribbon.
The Greater Manchester area once had nine law centres, but recent public funding cuts have forced them to shut. The last one, in Longsight, closed in 2014 leaving only two law centres in Bury and Rochdale.
The Moss Side law centre will provide advice and representation on welfare benefits, employment, prison, mental health, community care and disability law.
Law Centre chair, John Nicholson, a barrister at Kenworthys Chambers, said: “Now—when people are facing vicious benefit sanctions, homelessness, escalating racism, cuts in health and education—they need legal advice like never before.”
The centre has been supported by Michael Mansfield QC, actress Maxine Peake and film director Ken Loach.
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