In some cases, clients may be eligible for Written Advice or Further Assistance from Consumer Credit Legal Centre. Read below for details.

For examples of what sort of issues we can help you with, read these brief case studies.

Written Advice

Most people who contact Consumer Credit Legal Centre for assistance are given legal advice over the telephone only. In some cases callers may be asked to send in a written account of their problem and copies of all relevant documents (such as loan contracts, letters and court documents).

This will only happen if:

• The caller has a legal problem in relation to a loan, contract of guarantee, credit account or other banking service (such as a direct debit arrangement)
• The caller is not in a position to consult a private solicitor
• The centre solicitors have sufficient time available to consider the matter.

Usually the centre is only able to assist in situations where loans have been taken out for personal rather than business purposes. In some cases the centre solicitors may be able to assist people who have guaranteed or co-borrowed in relation to a business loan for a partner or family member but were not directly involved in the business themselves. The centre is also unable to assist in relation to investment loans.

Once a solicitor has received a client's documents they will proceed to research the matter and provide the client with written advice about his or her options.

Further Assistance

In a small proportion of cases further assistance may be offered.

This may include:

• Negotiating with the other party (such as the bank) to try and resolve the matter;
• Drafting a complaint to an alternative dispute resolution scheme such as the Banking & Financial Services Ombudsman or the  Credit Ombudsman Service;
• Reporting relevant matters to the Office of Fair Trading or other regulatory body;
• Representing the client in a court or the Consumer, Trader & Tenancy Tribunal.

Further assistance will only be offered where:

• The client has a legal problem in relation to a loan, contract of guarantee, credit account or other banking service (such as a direct debit arrangement);
• Problems similar to the client's problem are being, or are likely to be, experienced by other consumers;
• Assisting the client may lead to benefits for other consumers;
• The caller is not  able to afford to consult a private solicitor or other appropriate legal service;
• The centre solicitors have sufficient time available to undertake the matter.

Priority will be given to clients who are economically disadvantaged and/or have difficulty accessing legal redress because of poor English language skills or an illness or disability.