On Friday 23rd September, a woman with three children, one of whom is disabled, attended a Europia advice session as she had been left in a difficult situation with the DWP when the private solicitor she had hired disappeared. She was left very distressed as she did not understand that she had unintentionally created difficulties for herself as she lacked an understanding of the legal system. Europia were able to explain to her how she came to find herself in her situation.
Europia support, educate, empower and represent East and Central Europeans in Manchester to prosper in their communities by providing advocacy, advice, information and guidance. This client had attended their Manchester advice service where they can provide legal literacy support and represent clients in tribunals at no cost. Through providing a friendly and professional service, Europia can give clients peace of mind by double checking advice given from other services and enable those of low income to access quality legal advice by providing travel expenses. This advice service is provided on the second and fourth Friday of every month after Europia was called upon by its users to expand its services. Europia relies on the pro bono work of four law students, four volunteers, a volunteer with legal experience in Latvia, and a solicitor from a local firm.
Norman is a Europia adviser and he explains:
"My role is to assist our clients to claim any social security benefits they are entitled to receive. This may be assisting clients to make a new claim for benefit, challenging a decision or preparing and representing a client at a first tier tribunal. In the case in question, I ensured the client had the opportunity, legal backing and confidence to appeal the decision made by the DWP. Our client believed the decision made by the DWP was wrong. I explained how a tribunal works and went through the bundle of paperwork with the client looking at the evidence. Then on behalf of the client, I put forward a submission, which outlined the legal argument and explained why our client believed the decision had been made in error. It’s paramount to remember that this is the client's case and the decision to challenge has to be the clients. My role is to ensure that the client fully understands the legal process and are as prepared as possible, for what is often an ordeal for the claimant. Whilst we may not always agree with a decision, our responsibility to the client is to ensure the law has been correctly and fairly applied."
