Residents of Hartlepool now have access to a new Housing legal advice service, thanks to Watson Woodhouse Solicitors who have successfully bid for and won a major new Legal Aid Housing contract with the Legal Aid Agency. The contract ensures low income and vulnerable households now have access to legal aid funding related issues matters including housing / tenancy enquiries, debt management, mortgages arrears, harassment, repossession, homelessness and anti-social behaviour, where before they did not. To help with accessibility, and social distancing, the contract is being delivered purely by video appointments meaning the public can attend the appointment virtually, from the comfort of their own home, via Teams, WhatsApp or Zoom vide conferencing apps.
Victoria Molloy, Head of the Housing Department at Watson Woodhouse believes that this contract will be “life changing” for the people of Hartlepool: “The coronavirus pandemic has sadly brought with it a whole range of incredible financial and emotional circumstances for a lot of families across our region, particularly when it comes to housing related issues . Many people have lost jobs, or been furloughed; effectively losing 20 percent of their income, to most families this would be disastrous, but to those on low incomes it can quickly devastate families, pushing them further into debt and missed payments, its incredibly stressful for everyone concerned. As the governments’ deadline for a hold on evictions looms ever closer, this contract is needed more than ever. We want to help those people in a way in which we know best, offering them expert legal advice speedily, without cost, from the comfort of their own home, offering a vital helpline to those people in their greatest hour of need.”
Sarah Kane, CEO of Watson Woodhouse adds” We’ve seen a huge rise in the number of enquiries to our Housing and Civil Litigation Departments under the Pandemic. This contract is vital for the residents of Hartlepool, as prior to us winning this, their was no legal aid provision for housing related matters in the area. Victoria Molloy and her team have and will continue to work hard, to seek justice and mediation, and positive results for all Teesside families, but now we can assist Hartlepool Residents to seek positive outcomes around Housing issues. At Watson Woodhouse we pride ourselves on our company ethos that “Everyone should have the right to access legal advice and not just those who can afford it”. We’ve spent the last 30 years positioning ourselves as the “Champion of the Community”; changing peoples lives, and integrity and trust is at the heart of everything we do. We’re passionate about everyone’s right to have a decent home, good living standards and prospects, and to fight for justice for local people. It’s a significant win for us and the residents of Hartlepool”
The virtually video appointments can be made via Whatsapp, Teams or Zoom, all which are easily accessible from a smart phone, tablet or PC. For those residents who are unable to access the technology themselves, Watson Woodhouse have partnered with a small number of support organisations around Hartlepool who have agreed to allow clients to access the technology for free at their venues. If you are, or know resident of Hartlepool who would like to book a FREE VIRTUAL APPOINTMENT to talk confidentially with a legal specialist about your Housing related concerns please call 07876 797578 or complete the Hartlepool Residents Contact form online at https://www.watsonwoodhouse.co.uk/…/virtual-appointment/and one of our specialist solicitors will call you back with a date, and time, and explain how to access your appointment.