About Merseyside Law Centre
We have been assisting the people of Liverpool with their benefit issues since the 1970s. We were formally established as Merseyside Welfare Rights in 1988 and are now Merseyside Law Centre. Our overall objective is to combat poverty and homelessness by providing free, accessible, confidential, quality advice and representation to assist clients to pursue their legal rights, within a framework of equality and opportunity.
Our main office is located in the heart of the City of Liverpool. We have a community advice service that operates from Dovecot and includes outreach advice services in Old Swan and Princes Drive.
We provide specialist legal advice and assistance relating to welfare benefits, housing and money/debt matters. Our advice is provided to those in need, regardless of age, gender, race, or disability. Our activities focus on promoting social inclusion and relieving the needs of individuals, who are, or, who may become, socially excluded as a result of factors such as unemployment, race, financial hardship, ill health (physical or mental) and youth or old age. Our purpose is to assist individuals, by helping them overcome some of the difficulties that they face, and thus ensuring their successful integration into society.
In 2016 we were awarded the prestigious Law Society Disability Access Scheme (DAS) scholarship which supports those facing exceptionally challenging circumstances, enabling them to pursue their law studies and career.
Our welfare benefits advice team provides advice and representation on all matters from benefit checks, to Tribunal representation, Upper Tribunals and Judicial Reviews.
Our housing advice focuses on threats of possession of and eviction from homes with a view to preventing homelessness. We also deal with disrepair and anti-social behavior issues.
Our Team
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Janet Coe - Assistant Director / Solicitor
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Sophie Brown - Office Manager
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Mary Heery - Solicitor
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Lorna O'Reilly - Student and Volunteer Co-ordinator
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Tom Lavin - Justice First Fellow/Trainee Solicitor
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Siobhan Taylor-Ward - Solicitor / Our Liverpool Project Co-ordinator
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Peter Wildridge - Welfare Rights Adviser
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Lesley Tipping - Welfare Rights Adviser
Our team of experienced and dedicated staff have a diverse wealth of knowledge and expertise. We are:
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Cath McGivern - Administrator
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Karen Woodside - Administration / Projects
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Jack Pooke - Trainee Administration
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Joseph Bliss - Trainee Administration
Board of Trustees
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Ms Siobhan Cotter-Burgess - Chair
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Mr Mark Weights - Director
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Mr David Tighe - Director
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Mr Nick Crofts - Director
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Mrs Gillian Moglione - Director