Closure of Renfrewshire Law Centre prompts concerns

Alan McIntosh

A statement on the centre’s website explains that it is currently contacting clients with ongoing matters which are not near their conclusion and will refer them to other practitioners.

It adds: “Where an ongoing client matter can be concluded before the end of March, we will endeavour to conclude it.

“Where an ongoing client matter is near conclusion, but requires some ancillary work after the end of March, we will endeavour to arrange for its conclusion at no additional fee cost to the client.

“We will continue to run drop-in surgeries throughout March, although unfortunately we are not in a position to take on new client matters with a lengthy timescale for conclusion.”

Alan McIntosh, money adviser, said: “Only the latest in a number of advice centres that are closing, with the implementation of the Scottish government’s budget by local councils, Renfrewshire Law Centre, previously known as Paisley Law Centre, was established in 1997.

“It is understood Renfrewshire Council put out their advice services contract for tender and split it into two parts, with the legal advice and representation part, being cut from £110,000 to £95,000. The advice part, currently provided by Renfrewshire Citizen Advice Bureaux, was only increased by £4,000.

“Renfrewshire Law Centre primarily assisted residents of the Renfrewshire area with rent and mortgage arrears an acted for clients in eviction and repossession cases.

“It is not clear who, if anyone, in Renfrewshire, will now provide these vital front-line services.”